Council withdraws decision to refuse humanist place on religious education body

A humanist has won the first round of a case against Vale of Glamorgan Council’s refusal to seat her on its standing advisory council on religious education (Sacre).

Louise Whitfield, of law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn, acted for Humanists UK and local parent Kathy Riddick, who was denied membership of the committee, which oversees religious education.

Both gained permission from the High Court in Cardiff to challenge the council’s decision on the grounds that it unlawfully discriminated against humanists and placed a non-religious world view below religions, so failing to comply with the Human Rights Act and European Convention on Human Rights.

Vale of Glamorgan withdrew its decision rather than defend it and has agreed to review its policy on humanist membership of the committee.

Ms Whitfield said: “This is such an important issue, we are very pleased the council agreed to withdraw their decision. The council needs a complete rethink of not only their decision in respect of our client, Kathy Riddick, but also of their entire policy in respect of the inclusion of humanists in its religious education bodies.”

Vale of Glamorgan’s deputy leader Hunter Jarvie said: “By mutual consent the council has agreed to review its policy on SACRE membership; Ms Riddick’s application will be considered in light of the reviewed policy.”

Mark Smulian