Christian police officer loses religious discrimination claim

 (Photo: Unsplash/Aaron Burden)

A former police officer who claimed he was mocked by colleagues over his Christian faith has lost a religious discrimination claim.

Ex-PC Winston Roderick said he was discriminated against by colleagues while serving in South Wales Police.

The mockery allegedly included calling him Father Ted - the name of the main character, a priest, in the Channel 4 comedy of the same name - and comments in passing like "forgive me father".

One colleague allegedly made the sound of a church choir in a funny voice, the Daily Mail reported.

Another colleague is claimed to have said that Jesus "did not even exist" and that the Bible was "a pile of nonsense".

Mr Roderick, who is a pastor, was also seeking disability discrimination because of his mental health, and constructive dismissal.

But the tribunal dismissed all of his claims.

Judge Rhian Brace ruled: "Mr Roderick was a Christian pastor and would have been used to non-believers dismissing faith in Christianity when seeking to spread the word.

"Further, we accepted the evidence from some of South Wales Police's witnesses that Mr Roderick would regularly and routinely bring his faith into conversations in work.

"Where an individual chooses to take that step, they should not then be offended when others challenge that faith and indicate they do not believe."

News
Marriage is the safest relationship, latest figures suggest
Marriage is the safest relationship, latest figures suggest

Of the eight children murdered during lockdown, 7 were killed thanks to the actions of a step parent or new partner.

Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fifth year running
Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fifth year running

Abortion was legalised in Northern Ireland in 2019.

Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high
Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high

Across the country, people are looking to the church for help.

Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year
Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year

Isaiah 41:10 had the highest international engagement on YouVersion during 2025, while in the UK it was Jeremiah 29:11 that topped the list.