Teacher sues school after dismissal over pro-life remarks

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 21:57 · Archive

A secondary school teacher has taken legal action against her former school for dismissal after expressing pro-life beliefs in class.

Anita Meston, 63, a supply teacher at Biddick Academy in Washington, Sunderland, has sued her former school for discrimination after her contract was terminated. During a history lesson about the bombing of Dresden, students asked her views on Israel and abortion. When a student asked if she supported abortion, Ms Meston replied that she was pro-life and explained that her Christian beliefs would prevent her from participating in an abortion if she worked in a medical setting.

Following the exchange, Ms Meston was summoned to a meeting with the headteacher, who told her she was not allowed to give personal views in the classroom. The headteacher said the school could no longer employ her. Ms Meston had been working full-time at the school for six months, and her contract had been renewed the previous week.

Ms Meston said she was "profoundly shocked" by the decision to dismiss her for what she describes as her "faith-based pro-life beliefs and other mainstream personal and political views". She characterised her remarks as an honest response to the student's direct question. Her case is now heading to an employment tribunal.

How it is being reported

• Christian teacher was 'quite shocked' after getting fired for telling student she's pro-lifeAnita Meston says she was fired from a United Kingdom school after telling a student she was pro-life, and her case now heads to an employment tribunal.Fox News · 14 Oct, 21:29
• Teacher sacked after saying she is 'pro-life' sues school for discriminationA Christian teacher has taken legal action against her former school for "discrimination" after being dismissed for expressing "pro-life" beliefs. Anita Meston, 63, had her contract terminated by Biddick Academy in Washington, Sunderland, after answering a student's question about abortion. Ms Meston had been working full-time as a supply teacher at the secondary school for six months, and her contract with the school had been renewed the previous week. During her lesson, a student asked if she was "pro-abortion", to which she responded that she was "pro-life". TRENDING Stories Videos Your…GB News · 14 Oct, 13:53

In this story: Anita Meston · Biddick Academy · Sunderland · Washington

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