A Christian registrar who refused to carry out gay weddings because they were "sinful" has won a landmark discrimination court case and hailed for her triumphant victory for all religious liberty.

47 year old Lillian Ladele in London, UK will be getting a large payout from Islington Council after she was threatened and bullied that she would lose her job over for asking the council to avoid civil partnerships because of her deeply-held religious beliefs.

When she said she could not reconcile her faith with the union of gay men and women, she was treated like a "pariah (Social Outcast)" and the council showed no respect for her rights as a Christian according to the tribunal on the case.

The ruling that employees should not be required to act against their consciences has implications for the 18,000 same-sex ceremonies conducted nationwide each year and could encourage other registrars with strong religious beliefs to take a similar stance.

Islington Council officials insisted it would send out the wrong message if Miss Ladele was exempted because her claim could outrage gay rights groups.

The Central London Employment Tribunal upheld Miss Ladele's claims of discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of religion or beliefs though sighting the following:

"Islington Council rightly considered the importance of the right of the gay community not to be discriminated against but did not consider the right of Miss Ladele as a member of a religious group.

"It decided that the service it provided was secular and that the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community must be protected.

"In so acting, Islington Council took no notice of the rights of Miss Ladele by virtue of her orthodox Christian beliefs."

The tribunal said the council's failure to take her concerns seriously and the decision to give her an ultimatum between her faith and her £31,000-a-year job was "a violation of Miss Ladele's dignity and created an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment".

It also noted that the council had admitted they could provide a "first class service" without Miss Ladele carrying out civil partnership ceremonies and that she had a good work record when dealing with gay men and women.

After the ruling, Miss Ladele spoke of her relief: "I am delighted with the decision. It is a victory for religious liberty, not just for myself but for others in a similar position to mine.

"Gay rights should not be used as an excuse to bully or harass people over their religious beliefs."

Her legal fees were paid by the Christian Institute and spokesman Mike Judge said: "This is a ruling that says enough is enough.

"Just because people have got traditional beliefs on marriage does not mean they should be treated any less respectfully.

"No homosexual couple is being denied their right to marriage because other registrars are performing them.

"This was about one person having a view their colleagues didn't like and them questioning why she was still in employment. That is too hostile and offensive."

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