A Christian employee of Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) has been given leave to appeal a finding of harassment against her for sharing her faith with a Muslim colleague.
Victoria Wasteney had been suspended for nine months from her post as an occupational therapist when a finding of ‘harassment’ and ‘bullying’ was made against her at an employment tribunal. That case had begun when her Muslim colleague complained that Wasteney had prayed for her, given her a book on a Muslim woman’s encounter with Christianity, and invited her to her church, all of which the colleague interpreted as attempts to convert her.
In addition to an employment case subsequently taken by Wasteney against the NHS for its action against her, lawyers for Wasteney immediately launched an appealagainst the suspension, arguing that the woman’s rights to freedom of conscience and religion – as guaranteed under Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights – had been breached.
In ruling in favour of an appeal hearing in the case, Judge Eady QC stated that the woman’s case raised points of law of public importance and the appeal would examine whether Wasteney’s human rights had been afforded proper protection or not.
Commenting on the case as she launched her appeal earlier this year, Wasteney said: “The way it was all handled left me looking like a religious nutcase and I would like an acknowledgement that there is a negative attitude towards Christianity in some areas of the public sector.”
