A Christian social worker has won a significant legal victory after an employment tribunal was ordered to reconsider its ruling that a mental health charity was justified in withdrawing a job offer because of his biblical views on marriage and sexual ethics.
In 2022, Leeds-based charity withdrew a conditional job offer to Felix Ngole after discovering his social media posts affirming the biblical teaching that same-sex relationships are sinful. The charity claimed its clients might be “upset and offended” by his beliefs.The original employment tribunal sided with the charity, but on February 16, 2026, Judge James Tayler at the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled that the decision “erred in law.”
He has sent the case back to the same tribunal for fresh consideration, instructing it to determine whether the charity’s actions were truly because of Ngole’s religious beliefs or something separable from them.The judge noted that the original tribunal did not have the benefit of the Court of Appeal’s recent ruling in the case of Christian teaching assistant Kristie Higgs, which strongly defended the right to express biblical beliefs without facing discrimination.
Mr Ngole, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, welcomed the outcome: “I am pleased to see the Employment Appeal Tribunal recognise that I should not have been refused this job solely because people might discover my mainstream Christian beliefs online.” Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “No one should be penalised for affirming Biblical marriage — a lifelong union of a man and a woman. The courts need to send the clear message: Christian beliefs are welcome in this society and no employer can mistreat an employee because of their Biblical beliefs.”
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