A Christian counsellor who was sacked because he did not want to give homosexual couples sex advice has lost his religious discrimination appeal.
Gary McFarlane says Relate sacked him after he said he could not do anything that would encourage homosexual sex.
Mr McFarlane, from Bristol, claimed unfair dismissal and discrimination contrary to the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, but the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in London rejected his claim.
The Christian Legal Centre (CLC) was supporting Mr McFarlane’s case and expressed concern at the outcome.
CLC’s Director, Andrea Minichiello Williams, said: “The seriously worrying underlying point in this case, which the Court has refused to accept, is that for religious belief to be protected it is necessary to uphold the right to manifest that belief.”
She explained that Mr McFarlane was prepared for other counsellors to help same-sex couples in psychosexual counselling.
But, Mrs Minichiello Williams said: “He simply asked that on the rare occasions he was asked to do the same, his employer roster another counsellor to handle the case.
“This would have respected both the best interests of the counsellor and client.”
Mr McFarlane said: “Society is the worse for not allowing people of conscience to exercise legitimate rights.”
Relate say they have a “commitment to equality of access to our services”.
Claire Tyler, Chief Executive of Relate, added: “Relate’s trusted service, both in Avon and across the country, relies on making sure that all members of society, regardless of their gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation or relationship status are able to access respectful and professional counselling and sex therapy.
“Relate is committed to supporting all religious beliefs working within Relate.
“However, our primary consideration is to our clients who often need complex advice and assistance.
“We cannot allow anything to damage our clients or to undermine the principle of trust that underpins our work.”
The CLC say they will appeal the judgment.