Woman who lost job over transgender views wins appeal

Published

4 years ago

June 10, 2021

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A woman whose employment contract was not renewed after expressing views that sex cannot be changed and transgender women are “not women” has won an appeal against an employment tribunal.

In 2018, Maya Forstater posted a number of tweets expressing her beliefs about sex and gender, including her opposition to proposed reform of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) which would allow trans people to self-identify and legally transition from the gender assigned to them at birth without a medical diagnosis.

Her contract with her employer, the think tank Centre for Global Development (CGD), was not renewed in 2019 after a number of her colleagues complained, prompting an employment tribunal where she argued her beliefs should be legally protected.

On Thursday, High Court judge Mr Justice Chowdhury said the original tribunal had “erred in law”, adding that her “views “may well be profoundly offensive and even distressing”, but said they “must be tolerated in a pluralist society”.

However, Mr Chowdhury did add in the ruling that: “This judgment does not mean that those with gender-critical beliefs can ‘mis-gender’ trans persons with impunity.

“The claimant, like everyone else, will continue to be subject to the prohibitions on discrimination and harassment that apply to everyone else.”

He admitted that “some trans persons will be disappointed by this judgment”, adding that he did “not agree” that it would “create a ‘two-tier’ system between natal (cisgender – when your gender identity matches the one you were assigned at birth) women and trans women, with some trans women fearing that it will give licence to people seeking to harass them”.

After the verdict was handed down on Friday morning, Ms Forstater said: “I am delighted to have been vindicated. I lost my job simply for expressing a view that is true and important, and held by the great majority of people in this country: sex matters.

“Being a woman is a material reality. It is not a costume or a feeling. Institutions that pretend sex doesn’t matter become hostile places for women, in particular.

“After this judgment, employers and service-providers that ignore sex and silence women who object, need to consider whether they are acting unlawfully, and the substantial legal risks they face if they do not change their approach.”

Amanda Glassman, executive vice president of CGD, said: “The decision is disappointing and surprising because we believe Judge Tayler got it right when he found this type of offensive speech causes harm to trans people, and therefore could not be protected under the Equality Act.

“Today’s decision is a step backwards for inclusivity and equality for all. We’re currently considering the various paths forward with our lawyers.”

Author JK Rowling, who herself has faced a backlash over expressing similarly held views to Ms Forstater, previously supported the case, tweeting: “Live your best life in peace and security.

“But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real?”

UK

UK ticketholder bags £83m EuroMillions jackpot – as players urged to check tickets

Published

3 hours ago

January 30, 2025

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UK ticketholder bags £83m EuroMillions jackpot - as players urged to check tickets

A UK ticketholder has won the £83m EuroMillions jackpot – but is yet to come forward to claim the prize.

The winning player matched all five main numbers and both the lucky star numbers to win £83,474,081.80 in the draw on Friday 24 January.

The main winning numbers were 02, 11, 19, 30 and 49, while the lucky star numbers were 03 and 08.

Andy Carter, senior winners’ advisor at Allwyn, the operator of The National Lottery, urged players to check their tickets.

He said: “What a fantastic night for a single UK ticket-holder who has scooped tonight’s £83m EuroMillions jackpot!

“This lucky winner represents the first UK EuroMillions jackpot win of 2025, what a way to start the year.”

Last month, a UK ticket-holder claimed £177m in the EuroMillions draw, making them wealthier than popstar Dua Lipa, who is worth an estimated £104m.

The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, scooped the third-biggest National Lottery winner ever.

The biggest EuroMillions win by UK players was in 2022 when a single ticket-holder won £195m.

Two months before that, Joe and Jess Thwaite, from Gloucester, won a then record-breaking £184,262,899 with a Lucky Dip ticket for the draw in May 2022.

UK

Man jailed after XL bully attacked 12-year-old girl

Published

3 hours ago

January 30, 2025

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Man jailed after XL bully attacked 12-year-old girl

A man has been jailed after his XL bully attacked a 12-year-old girl.

Justin Allison, 38, from Ebbw Vale, was sentenced to three years in prison at Newport Crown Court on Wednesday.

The girl was seriously injured and needed hospital treatment, police said.

Allison had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a banned breed without a licence and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place. He also admitted a charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a private place.

Officers were called to an address in Nantyglo, Blaenau Gwent, last October to reports a child had been attacked by a dog.

Gwent Police said the dog – later identified as an XL bully – was seized and humanely destroyed by a vet.

The breed was banned in England and Wales from 1 February last year, with the ban later extended to Scotland.

Detective Chief Inspector Virginia Davies said the girl was “viciously attacked” after Allison “failed to keep his dog under control”.

She said the case “should serve as a reminder to all dog owners of the importance of having your dog under control at all times”.

“We take all reports of suspected irresponsible dog ownership seriously and we urge everyone to follow the legislation and guidance to prevent events like this happening in the future,” she added.

Allison was also banned from owning dogs for 10 years.

UK

Bishop of Liverpool retires amid misconduct allegations

Published

6 hours ago

January 30, 2025

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Bishop of Liverpool retires amid misconduct allegations

The Bishop of Liverpool has announced his retirement days after facing allegations of misconduct from two women, including another bishop.

One woman said the Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath kissed her without consent and groped her, while the second accused him of sexual harassment.

The bishop has vehemently denied the allegations – and in his retirement letter, published online on Thursday, he reiterated his denial.

The letter, shared by the Diocese of Liverpool, read: “Having sought the permission of His Majesty the King, I have today taken the decision to retire from active ministry in the Church of England.”

Addressing the accusations, he continued: “Since those allegations were made I have consistently maintained that I have not done anything wrong and continue to do so.

“I do not wish this story to become a distraction for this incredible diocese and its people whom it has been an honour and joy to serve,” the bishop says in his letter.

“This is not a resignation occasioned by fault or by any admission of liability.”

The exact date for when the bishop’s role will formally end is yet to be decided, but he is stepping back from ministering and leading the diocese as of Thursday.

The letter continued: “I have taken this decision for my own well-being, my family and the best interests of the Diocese.

“I have informed the Archbishop of York of my decision and I understand he will put in place the necessary arrangements for episcopal oversight of the diocese for the remainder of my time here and during the vacancy.”

The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell – who has faced calls to resign over separate safeguarding failures – said: “I respect his decision and thank him for his ministry.”

“My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those who have been affected by this situation,” he continued. “I am committed to ensuring stability during this time of transition and will be putting the necessary arrangements in place to provide episcopal oversight for the diocese.”

An acting bishop will be announced in the coming days.

The diocese – which on Wednesday pressured the bishop to step aside – said in a statement: “We acknowledge his decision in taking this step for the good of the Diocese of Liverpool.

“This is a deeply painful situation, and we hold all concerned in our prayers.”

The misconduct allegations were reported by Channel 4 earlier this week but the first dates back to 2023, the Church of England confirmed.

It said: “The complaint was looked into according to statutory safeguarding guidance… and an independent risk assessment undertaken.

“This process concluded that there were no ongoing safeguarding concerns, but a learning outcome was identified with which the bishop fully engaged.”

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A “further disclosure was made by another woman” shortly after, the Church said. This was “assessed not to be a safeguarding matter but a matter of alleged misconduct,” it added.

Bishop Perumbalath’s resignation comes at a tumultuous time for the Church of England, which has recently seen Justin Welby quit as Archbishop of Canterbury over the handling of another case.