Chaplain settles LGBT sermon unfair dismissal case
Summary
Rev Bernard Randall, a chaplain at Trent College, settled a legal dispute after being dismissed for a sermon expressing views critical of LGBT-related teachings at the school. The case involved claims of unfair dismissal, a tribunal ruling, and concerns about bias, ending with a confidential agreement and Randall allowed to continue preaching in Church of England churches.Key Facts
- Rev Bernard Randall was dismissed from Trent College in 2019 after a sermon opposing parts of an LGBT inclusivity program.
- The inclusivity program was created by the charity Educate and Celebrate and included terms like "sex assigned at birth" and "cisgender."
- Randall described the program as conflicting with his Christian beliefs and expressed that pupils did not have to accept LGBT activist ideas.
- His dismissal was overturned on appeal, but he was later made redundant for refusing reduced working hours.
- An employment tribunal initially ruled the dismissal was fair and justified the school's referral to the government's Prevent program for safety concerns.
- Subsequent legal review found the original tribunal decision unsafe, ordering a rehearing that led to a confidential settlement between Randall and Trent College.
- Christian Concern, an advocacy group, said an independent investigator found no evidence of harm from Randall’s sermon and cleared him of safeguarding concerns.
- Randall completed required safeguarding training and may now preach again in Church of England churches.
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