Thought Police
Thought Police Update
We previously brought to your attention the case of Maya Forstater who lost out on a job after saying people cannot change their biological sex. We promised to update you on any employment tribunal. At the time we named it the “thought police” case.
The history
- Forstarter had a contract at the Centre for Global Development (CGD) think tank, where she worked as a researcher. It was not renewed in March 2019 after she aired her views that biological sex cannot be changed.
- Forstarter co-founded the Sex Matters campaign group. She posted tweets about transgender people and opposed government proposals to reform the Gender Recognition Act to allow people to identify as the opposite sex, the tribunal was told. Following such tweets her contract was not renewed at CGD.
- Ms Forstater took her case to an employment tribunal on the grounds this constituted discrimination against her beliefs. Employment judge James Taylor dismissed her claim.
- Forstater then took her case to the High Court where High Court Judge Mr Justice Choudhury ruled the judgment had “erred in law”.
- Her case then returned to an employment tribunal and in July, three judges at a London tribunal handed down compensation of £91,500 and interest of £14,904 to Ms. Forstarter.
- Maya Forstater was awarded the payout after it was found she experienced discrimination and victimisation at work. The compensation is for loss of earnings, injury to feelings and aggravated damages after the CGD did not renew her contract or visiting fellowship.
The Graham Agency, keeping you informed.