I have posted this cartoon as it reminded me of an ongoing case which is intriguing for a number of reasons.Once again I must proceed with caution as the case in point is still the subject of `legal proceedings` - in fact, an appeal to the Employment Tribunal following a case of alleged dismissal on grounds of gross misconduct.

The case involves a gentleman hereabouts who was a magistrate and employed in a high ranking position with the local NHS, both of which positions he had occupied for about 20 years.  He is a committed christian and it was in his capacity as a magistrate that he apparently fell foul of today`s rampant political correctness which leans heavily - arguably too heavily - in favour of `minorities.`

He had presided over countless adoption cases without any complaint or criticism until, a while ago now, he suggested that adoptive children might be better off in an environment where the adoptive parents are a man and a woman rather than a same sex couple.   This led to a bit of an uproar with the result that he was suspended and subsequently dismissed as a magistrate and in good time was also relieved of his duties with the NHS.  He has appealed against both decisions on the grounds of discrimination, the result of both appeals are awaited.

Now it would be inappropriate of me to pre-empt the outcome but the issue which attracted my attention was the decision somewhere along the line that he should be required to undergo `equality training.`  And like me he is of another generation, one that might be accused of being out of touch with the `normalities` of life today;  of being of another time, another age when things were so very different - a time when things that are supposed to be normal these days did not even scratch the surface of our consciousness in times gone by.

Now I have always had a kind of inbuilt aversion to any form of compulsion - I resented having to do my National Service, for example, maybe it`s one of the reasons why I voted leave in that long ago referendum and I would most certainly be pretty miffed about being forced to go on `equality training.` I guess it does what it says on the tin but I don`t believe it should force people like the gentleman in this case to alter his deeply held convictions which would have themselves been accepted without question at the time of his formative years.

There`s a deeper issue too - that of self-expression being compromised for fear of upsetting one of a number of burgeoning minority groups.  Freedom of expression is a long standing freedom and one which should be respected. but maybe should not be used as an excuse to dismiss well meaning people from positions which benefit society at large?