20 July 2008- UK- A policeman is taking his force to an employment tribunal, claiming that he has been harassed because of his Christian beliefs.

Constable Graham Cogman says he has been persecuted since he objected to wearing ribbons to mark a gay event.

The controversy echoes the case of Lillian Ladele, the Christian registrar who successfully took on Islington Council in London over her refusal to conduct civil-partnership ceremonies for gay couples.

PC Cogman, who attends his local Church of England church with his family in Sea Palling, North Norfolk, said he had been subject to a series of investigations over complaints that he is homophobic, turning his life into a ‘nightmare’.

The 49-year-old father-of-two, who joined the Norfolk force in 1993 after 12 years in the RAF, insists he loves his job but said: ‘Internal politics are making it difficult to do what we should be doing.’

He added: ‘We get more flak from inside the force than outside these days.

'The blatant support for homosexual rights in Norfolk Police makes being a Christian officer extremely difficult.

‘I am not undertaking this action lightly but I have to make a stand when things become so blatantly biased against me just because I hold a faith.’

The officer – who claimed he enjoyed a good relationship with most of his colleagues and has been commended twice for his police work – said the stress was also affecting his wife Elaine, 46, and his children Natalie, 15, and Ryan, 12.

He blamed a small number of officers for using the police’s internal investigations procedures to intimidate him, and claimed his complaints were sidelined.

PC Cogman was working at the force’s eastern headquarters in Great Yarmouth in early 2006 when gay liaison officers circulated an email encouraging staff to pin a pink ribbon on their uniforms during Gay History Month.

He said the station was ‘bombarded’ with gay posters, information about gay events, including a quiz at a local pub, and pink ribbons.

PC Cogman felt he should be allowed to express an alternative view, so he sent round an email in response, quoting biblical texts suggesting that homosexual sex was
sinful.

He was then accused of failing to show respect and tolerance to fellow officers and barred from using the internal message system.

The following year he again objected by email when officers were urged to wear a rainbow ribbon during Gay History Month.

Replying to the sender of the request and copying it to several other officers, he wrote that it was ‘inappropriate, thoughtless and insensitive’ as the rainbow symbolises God’s faithfulness.

He then sent one of the liaison officers a five-page document about the symbolism, which included a few paragraphs criticising homosexuality.

The officer complained and PC Cogman was called before a full disciplinary hearing, which included an interview with the force’s professional standards department.

During the investigation, he was also accused of victimising another gay liaison officer by saying in her presence: ‘Love the sinner, hate the deed.’

But the only charge he admitted was losing his temper with a third officer in an argument over his disciplinary case.

On the advice of lawyers, who said he could lose his job, he pleaded guilty to a breach of the police code of conduct and received the maximum fine, around £1,200 or 13 days’ pay.

A few months later, he was further questioned after he put a biblical text on his computer screen, reading: ‘Jesus is the light of the world, only the enemy kills, steals and destroys.’

And in April, he was interviewed again about his beliefs after he circulated a link to an American Christian helpline on the internal communication system.

PC Cogman said he was trying to help by offering a counselling service for people struggling with their sexuality which a friend had found useful.

But a diversity adviser from the force’s headquarters in Wymondham said the website connected to the helpline was offensive.

He was also accused of breaching the ban on using the internal communications system, and breaching the force’s tolerance policy by sitting near another officer, who found his views offensive, in an ‘intimidating manner’.

Mr Cogman now faces another full disciplinary hearing and says he fears losing his job.

In his claim to the tribunal, being prepared by barrister Paul Diamond – who defended Nadia Eweida after she was suspended by British Airways for wearing a cross – he will argue that the police force, locally and nationally, has become obsessed with inclusiveness to the detriment of those who adhere to Christian beliefs.

But a spokesman for Norfolk Police said: ‘We welcome people of all beliefs and races into the workforce and fully respect everyone’s views.

'However, the force will not tolerate any form of homophobic behaviour.

'While we fully respect the officer has strong beliefs, it is only correct that he respects the beliefs and wishes of others.’

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