This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35988115
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| NHS Christian worker loses appeal after 'giving book to Muslim colleague' | NHS Christian worker loses appeal after 'giving book to Muslim colleague' |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| A Christian health worker in the NHS has lost her appeal against a ruling which suspended her for giving a religious book to a Muslim colleague. | A Christian health worker in the NHS has lost her appeal against a ruling which suspended her for giving a religious book to a Muslim colleague. |
| Victoria Wasteney, 39, was found guilty in 2014 by her employer, the East London NHS Foundation Trust, of "harassing and bullying" a work friend. | |
| She had given her a book about a Muslim woman's encounter with Christianity and asked her to church. | She had given her a book about a Muslim woman's encounter with Christianity and asked her to church. |
| Miss Wasteney said she had "no idea" she was upsetting her. | Miss Wasteney said she had "no idea" she was upsetting her. |
| Working as a senior occupational therapist at the time, Miss Wasteney, who also prayed with her colleague, was suspended for nine months and given a written warning. | Working as a senior occupational therapist at the time, Miss Wasteney, who also prayed with her colleague, was suspended for nine months and given a written warning. |
| Appeal dismissed | Appeal dismissed |
| Her colleague had reportedly been happy to discuss faith with her and had not given evidence about her allegations to the NHS. | Her colleague had reportedly been happy to discuss faith with her and had not given evidence about her allegations to the NHS. |
| She challenged the decision at an employment tribunal last year, but it ruled her employer had not discriminated against her. | She challenged the decision at an employment tribunal last year, but it ruled her employer had not discriminated against her. |
| A judge gave her the chance to appeal against that decision, saying it should consider whether the original ruling correctly applied the European Convention on Human Rights' strong protection of freedom of religion and expression. | A judge gave her the chance to appeal against that decision, saying it should consider whether the original ruling correctly applied the European Convention on Human Rights' strong protection of freedom of religion and expression. |
| But Judge Jennifer Eady QC dismissed the appeal on Thursday. | But Judge Jennifer Eady QC dismissed the appeal on Thursday. |
| Following the decision, Miss Wasteney, from Epping, Essex, said: "What the court clearly failed to do was to say how, in today's politically correct world, any Christian can even enter into a conversation with a fellow employee on the subject of religion and not, potentially, later end up in an employment tribunal. | Following the decision, Miss Wasteney, from Epping, Essex, said: "What the court clearly failed to do was to say how, in today's politically correct world, any Christian can even enter into a conversation with a fellow employee on the subject of religion and not, potentially, later end up in an employment tribunal. |
| "If someone sends you friendly text messages, how is one to know that they are offended?" | "If someone sends you friendly text messages, how is one to know that they are offended?" |