Kristie Higgs Case- Appeal success!
This morning the Court of Appeal delivered its judgement in the landmark case of Kristie Higgs, a Christian teaching assistant sacked over private Facebook posts. The successful outcome is great news for ACT members and other Christians working in Education as it not only sets a crucial precedent for free speech but also strengthens the right to express Christian beliefs in the UK.
Kristie Higgs was dismissed from Farmor’s Secondary School in 2019 for gross misconduct after sharing two posts on her private Facebook account, under her maiden name, with no mention of her employer. One post opposed compulsory sex education; the other raised concerns about transgender ideology in children’s books at her son’s Church of England primary school.
An anonymous complaint led to a six-hour disciplinary hearing, after which she was dismissed for allegedly bringing the school into disrepute. Her Christian beliefs were even likened to Neo-Nazism.
Mrs Higgs pursued legal action, arguing she was discriminated against for her Christian beliefs. The case has faced numerous delays, with concerns raised over bias from panel members linked to transgender and extreme sex education advocacy groups such as Mermaids and Stonewall.
ACT were granted permission to act as intervenors when the case reached the Court of Appeal, allowing the association to present submissions on behalf of the interests of Christian educators across the country.
Other intervenors included Sex Matters and The Free Speech Union and the European Human Rights Commission. EHRC lawyers argued that labelling Christians who believe homosexuality is sinful as homophobic, or those with gender-critical beliefs as transphobic, is ‘stereotyping’ and amounts to illegal discrimination.
The case has serious implications for Christian teachers and other employees, determining that they can express biblical views on marriage and family—some of which may differ from LGBTQI+ ideology—privately or publicly, without risking their jobs.
Lizzie Harewood, Executive Officer of the Association of Christian Teachers said today:
"I am absolutely delighted for Kristie today and want to commend her incredible resilience over the past six years, as well as the Christian Legal Centre for their unwavering support. This is a significant ruling for Christians in education and a vital reminder that Biblical beliefs are legitimate and deserve respect. It also sets an important legal precedent that upholds freedom of expression for everyone in the UK. "