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Tribunal to hear case of sacked ethical vegan Tribunal to hear case of sacked ethical vegan
(30 minutes later)
Jordi Casamitjana argues veganism is a philosophical belief and thus protected in lawJordi Casamitjana argues veganism is a philosophical belief and thus protected in law
A legal hearing is due to get under way in Norwich on Thursday to determine whether veganism is a “philosophical or religious belief” and thus protected in law.A legal hearing is due to get under way in Norwich on Thursday to determine whether veganism is a “philosophical or religious belief” and thus protected in law.
Jordi Casamitjana says he was sacked by the League Against Cruel Sports after raising concerns that its pension fund was being invested in companies involved in animal testing.Jordi Casamitjana says he was sacked by the League Against Cruel Sports after raising concerns that its pension fund was being invested in companies involved in animal testing.
He claims he was unfairly disciplined for making this disclosure and that the decision to dismiss him was because of his philosophical belief in ethical veganism.He claims he was unfairly disciplined for making this disclosure and that the decision to dismiss him was because of his philosophical belief in ethical veganism.
Dietary vegans and ethical vegans both eat a plant-based diet, but ethical vegans also try to exclude all forms of animal exploitation including not wearing clothing made from wool or leather and not using products tested on animals.Dietary vegans and ethical vegans both eat a plant-based diet, but ethical vegans also try to exclude all forms of animal exploitation including not wearing clothing made from wool or leather and not using products tested on animals.
Casamitjana’s lawyers say ethical veganism satisfies the tests required for it to be a philosophical or religious belief, which means it should protected under the Equality Act 2010.Casamitjana’s lawyers say ethical veganism satisfies the tests required for it to be a philosophical or religious belief, which means it should protected under the Equality Act 2010.
For a belief to be protected under the act, it must meet a series of tests including being worthy of respect in a democratic society, not being incompatible with human dignity and not conflicting with fundamental rights of others. For a belief to be protected under the act, it must meet a series of tests including being worthy of respect in a democratic society, being compatible with human dignity and not conflicting with the fundamental rights of others.
Peter Daly, a solicitor with Slater and Gordon who is acting for Casamitjana, said: “Ethical veganism is a philosophical belief held by a significant portion of the population in the UK and around the world. This case, if successful, will establish that the belief entitles ethical vegans to protection from discrimination.Peter Daly, a solicitor with Slater and Gordon who is acting for Casamitjana, said: “Ethical veganism is a philosophical belief held by a significant portion of the population in the UK and around the world. This case, if successful, will establish that the belief entitles ethical vegans to protection from discrimination.
“The case we have prepared sets out how the belief in principle, and how Jordi’s particular interpretations of it, meet the required legal test.”“The case we have prepared sets out how the belief in principle, and how Jordi’s particular interpretations of it, meet the required legal test.”
When he initially brought the case, Casamitjana said it was not primarily about his dismissal but about establishing ethical veganism as a philosophical belief.When he initially brought the case, Casamitjana said it was not primarily about his dismissal but about establishing ethical veganism as a philosophical belief.
“Although the manner in which I was dismissed was intensely distressing for me, some good may come of it if I am able to establish this valuable protection for all ethical vegans,” he said. “If we are successful in that hearing, we will then proceed to a hearing on the specifics of my dismissal.”“Although the manner in which I was dismissed was intensely distressing for me, some good may come of it if I am able to establish this valuable protection for all ethical vegans,” he said. “If we are successful in that hearing, we will then proceed to a hearing on the specifics of my dismissal.”
The League Against Cruel Sports says it sacked Casamitjana for gross misconduct. In a statement to the BBC, it said: “The League Against Cruel Sports is an inclusive employer, and as this is a hearing to decide whether veganism should be a protected status, something which the league does not contest, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”The League Against Cruel Sports says it sacked Casamitjana for gross misconduct. In a statement to the BBC, it said: “The League Against Cruel Sports is an inclusive employer, and as this is a hearing to decide whether veganism should be a protected status, something which the league does not contest, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”