UK Court Backs Christian Teacher After Unfair Dismissal For Sharing Christian Views
On February 12, 2025, the UK Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Christian teacher Kristie Higgs, who was fired in 2019 for sharing her concerns about sex education policies and expressed her Christian beliefs about this topic on her private Facebook page. The court confirmed that traditional Christian beliefs on social issues are protected under the Equality Act. The decision marks a major victory for freedom of speech and religion in the UK.
On 7 January 2019, Christian teacher Kristie Higgs was sacked from Farmor's School, Fairford, for alleged "gross misconduct" and "[bringing] the school into disrepute" for sharing her concerns about the 'relationships and sex education' curriculum at her son's school on her private Facebook page. According to her, the posts reflected her Christian faith, "beliefs and views shared by hundreds of thousands of parents across the UK".
Fortunately, England's second highest Court allowed her appeal, recongnising the complexity of the case and its importance to fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Mrs Higgs was determined to continue her pursuit of justice and to "stand for Christians and all parents across the country who are being silenced for sharing and holding these views.”
On 12 February 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld Ms Higgs' claims. In their ruling, the judges said that neither the language of Mrs Higgs' posts nor the risk of damage to the school's reputation justified her dismissal, as she "had not said anything of the kind at work or displayed any discriminatory attitudes in her treatment of pupils".
In the landmark decision, the judges - Lord Justice Underhill, Lord Justice Bean and Lady Justice Falk - also provided crucial guidance on the correct interpretation of English law on religious discrimination. According to the Equality Act, religion and beliefs are protected agains direct and indirect forms of discrimination. The Court recognised that this law protects traditional Christian beliefs on social issues, such as opposition to the ideas of transgenderism and 'gender-fluidity' and opposition to equating same-sex marriage with marriage between a man and a woman.
Moreover, the ruling served to affirm the legal presumption that any dismissal on the basis of an expression or manifestation of the Christian faith is unlawful. Consequently, it is up to the employer to prove that the dismissal was objectively justified and prescribed by law, proportionate and necessary.
The Court of Appeal's decision is a highly significant milestone in the protection of teachers' freedom of speech and religion at a time when a number of teachers are being prosecuted for holding and sharing their Christian beliefs. Responding to the ruling, Kristie Higgs said: "Christians have the right to express their beliefs on social media and at other non-work-related settings without fear of being punished by their employer. Expressing biblical truth is not discriminatory. It is an expression of love and of light."
Source: christianconcern.com, bbc.com
Image: Christian Concern
