Employment law tribunal agrees that BBC worker’s views counted as beliefs

Posted 05/04/2011

An employment law tribunal has agreed that a former BBC employee’s views should have been accepted as beliefs by the company.

Devan Maistry said he held the opinion that “public service broadcasting has the higher purpose of promoting cultural interchange and social cohesion” following his experiences during the Apartheid regime in South Africa, Personnel Today reports.

He also believed that journalism and television is an essential forum for enhancing citizenship.

The worker was sacked by the BBC, but took the corporation to an employment law tribunal to claim that he was unfairly dismissed and discriminated against because of his beliefs.

The tribunal ruled that Mr Maistry’s views did count as philosophical beliefs and there will now be a further hearing to discuss details of the case.

“I’m glad that by the end of this month we will have a clearer picture of how this will go,” Mr Maistry commented.

According to Direct Gov, it is unlawful for companies to discriminate against anyone because of their beliefs, although there is no set legislation to define what religion or belief discrimination is.