Harriet Harman

Harriet Harman, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, has said that the Equality Bill won't apply to posts for religious jobs such as being a priest or a rabbi. However, she added that the Equality Bill will apply to non-religious roles in religious organisations.

Mrs Harman said:
“We have never insisted on nondiscrimination legislation applying to religious jobs, such as being a vicar, a bishop, an imam or a rabbi.

“Religious organisations can decide themselves how to do that. However, when it comes to non-religious jobs, those organisations must comply with the law. We thought that it would be helpful for everyone involved to clarify the law, and that is what the amendment ... aimed to do. That amendment was rejected, so the law remains as it was.”

Ben Summerskill of Stonewall said that the gay-rights organisation would help anyone who felt that they were discriminated against by any religious employer.

Mr Summerskill said:
"If any church dismisses someone from a non-liturgical role, such as a youth worker or a press officer, we will support their case."