The Hereford Times

Diocese will not appeal

3:01pm Thursday 27th September 2007

THE Diocese of Hereford will not appeal against a tribunal's ruling that the bishop, the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, discriminated against a gay job applicant.

An appeal is not being planned due to the high cost and length of time it would be expected to take, the diocese confirmed this week.

Diocesan spokesperson Anni Holden said: "We have taken legal advice and decided against appealing.

"Appeals can take several years and cost a lot of money. We are looking to the remedy hearing in December."

During the remedy hearing it will be decided how much compensation youth worker John Reaney will receive.

In July, an employment tribunal in Cardiff confirmed Mr Reaney, aged 42, was discriminated against by the bishop.

Mr Reaney had looked set to become a youth officer in the diocese after impressing an eight-strong panel, but was turned down by the bishop after he quizzed Mr Reaney on a former gay relationship.

Mr Reaney and Stonewall - a gay lobby group - argued that a heterosexual person would not have faced the same treatment during a two-hour interview.