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Eco-employee wins bid to appeal Eco-employee wins bid to appeal
(30 minutes later)
A man has been told he can take his employer to tribunal on the grounds he was unfairly dismissed because of his views on climate change.A man has been told he can take his employer to tribunal on the grounds he was unfairly dismissed because of his views on climate change.
Tim Nicholson, of Oxford, was made redundant in July 2008 from Grainger Plc, Didcot, as head of sustainability.Tim Nicholson, of Oxford, was made redundant in July 2008 from Grainger Plc, Didcot, as head of sustainability.
In March a judge ruled the 41-year-old could use employment equality laws to claim unfair dismissal. In March a judge ruled the 42-year-old could use employment equality laws to claim unfair dismissal.
But the firm appealed against this as it believed his views were political and a "lifestyle choice".But the firm appealed against this as it believed his views were political and a "lifestyle choice".
'Philosophical belief''Philosophical belief'
Before the judgement, Mr Nicholson said: "My belief in climate change and the urgent need to do something about it is based on science. Mr Nicholson said he was delighted by the judgement on Monday for himself and other people who may feel they are discriminated against because of their views on climate change.
"One of the arguments made in the recent appeal hearing is that it would be illogical if there was protection afforded to a religious belief, say creationism, that perhaps isn't based on science, but Darwinism that very clearly is based on science is not afforded that same protection." After the hearing, his solicitor, Shah Qureshi, said: "Essentially what the judgment says is that a belief in man-made climate change and the alleged resulting moral imperative is capable of being a philosophical belief and is therefore protected by the 2003 religion or belief regulations."
Mr Nicholson was given permission in March to make his claim under the Employment Equality (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003 that covers "any religion, religious belief, or philosophical belief".Mr Nicholson was given permission in March to make his claim under the Employment Equality (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003 that covers "any religion, religious belief, or philosophical belief".
But the ruling was challenged by Grainger on the grounds that green views are not the same as religious or philosophical beliefs. But the ruling was challenged by Grainger plc, the UK's biggest residential landlord, on the grounds that green views are not the same as religious or philosophical beliefs.
Mr Nicholson claims that his opinions affect his whole lifestyle. He does not travel by plane and has renovated his home to be more eco-friendly. Mr Nicholson, who said his opinions affect his whole lifestyle, has claimed his views were ignored by senior managers at Grainger.
He has accused the chief executive, Rupert Dickinson, of showing "contempt" for his concerns and claimed he once flew a member of staff to Ireland to deliver his Blackberry which he had left in London.
The firm maintains that environmental views are political and a "lifestyle choice" which cannot be compared to religion or philosophy.The firm maintains that environmental views are political and a "lifestyle choice" which cannot be compared to religion or philosophy.