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
Young struggle to understand 'problematic' Jesus
Young struggle to understand 'problematic' Jesus

God and Jesus can occasionally offend "woke" sensibilities.

New 'Islamophobia' definition rejected by representatives of all major faiths
New 'Islamophobia' definition rejected by representatives of all major faiths

Critics worry that even preaching the gospel to Muslims could become unlawful.

Darlington Nurses, Päivi Räsänen warn US about declining freedom in Britain and Europe
Darlington Nurses, Päivi Räsänen warn US about declining freedom in Britain and Europe

The Darlington Nurses may have won their fight, but Päivi Räsänen's ordeal is still ongoing.

Labour waters down controversial home education rules, but concerns remain
Labour waters down controversial home education rules, but concerns remain

Christian homeschooling families were concerned about the proposals.