Church of England Bishop Tests Scope of Employment Equality Regulations

In Britain, a leading Church of England bishop is forcing a test of the scope of exemptions to the country's 2003 Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations. According to yesterday's Observer, the Bishop of Hereford, Right Reverend Anthony Priddis, blocked the appointment of John Reaney as a youth worker, despite a unanimous recommendation of an interview panel that he be given the job. An exemption in the Employment Equality Regulations for organized religion has so far been interpreted to apply only to a few positions that are close to clergy. (Background). On Wednesday, an employment tribunal in Cardiff will hear Reaney's challenge to the Bishop's action.