Andrea Williams

A Christian nursery nurse has been sacked for gross misconduct from her job in a London children's nursery after explaining the Bible's teaching on homosexuality in response to a question from her colleague.

Sarah Mbuyi had worked at Newpark Childcare in Highbury, London, since April 2013. She became good friends with a gay colleague and they had frequent conversations about the meaning of Christianity.

In January 2014, the colleague initiated another conversation with Sarah about Christianity. She said she was unhappy that she couldn't marry her female partner because of the church, and said she thought that God condoned homosexuality.

Miss Mbuyi explained: "When I said no God does not condone the practice of homosexuality, but does love you and says you should come to him as you are, she became emotional and went off to report me to my manager.

"I never ever condemned her, or accused her, but when she asked me directly what I believed, I was open about sharing the Bible's teaching that homosexual sex (not the people) is wrong. It's clear that this offended her and she was determined to get me sacked, simply because I expressed traditional Christian beliefs."

After a one-sided disciplinary hearing in which Sarah was falsely accused of starting the discussion on homosexuality, nursery directors dismissed her immediately for gross misconduct.

Sarah's dismissal suggests her employers think that expressing Christian beliefs is a legitimate grounds for dismissal. This is clearly an issue of deep concern for Christians in the workplace across the UK.

Andrea Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, said: "Sharing Biblical truths out of genuine love and concern for colleagues is being outlawed in the workplace by a dominating cultural correctness. There is a culture of fear which closes down freedom of speech and the manifestation of faith. This culture brands the liberating good news of the Gospel as oppressive and regressive.

"Sarah's case demonstrates the confusion we're experiencing in current times. David Cameron has given public recognition of the enormous positive impact that Jesus Christ has had on our nation but he wants to mould Christianity to his political agenda. History shows that Christianity is greater than any political agenda.

"David Cameron has ignored the concerns of the Christian community by driving through same-sex 'marriage'. Any dissent in the public space, in the workplace, to the new prevailing orthodoxy means punishment as Sarah is experiencing.

"This is not a Government with a track record of recognising and respecting Christian faith. It has deliberately and consistently undermined Christians and their freedom to live out their faith in the public square.

"The Prime Minister has huge influence. If he is serious in his support for Christianity, he will intervene in Sarah's case and ensure that those who believe in marriage, as defined in the Bible, between one man and one woman, will not lose their jobs but be wholly and properly protected by the law.

"This government has seriously let down the Christian community. Easter statements of sentiment will not suffice. Consistent behaviour is what will be believed."

Sarah did what any faithful Christian would do - she spoke the truth in love in response to what she thought was a genuine question about her faith.

The Christian Legal Centre is helping Sarah claim unfair dismissal on grounds of religious discrimination. This isn't just about the rights of one individual Christian, it's about the freedom to speak of Jesus and make Him and His Truth known in the workplace and elsewhere in public life.

People in workplaces across the UK need to hear the good news about Jesus so it's vital that we protect this freedom.

Christians need not to fear and need to continue to share the Gospel.