Published Date:
02 March 2007
By Nancy Fielder
A SHEFFIELD magistrate was wrong to try to opt out of cases where children are adopted by gay couples, a tribunal has ruled.
Devoted Christian Andrew McClintock quit the family bench after 15 years when his request to be excused from cases which could result in a child being placed with a gay couple was refused.
Mr McClintock, from Nether Edge, took the Department of Constitutional Affairs to tribunal and his case was turned down yesterday.
The 63-year-old had claimed he was being discriminated against on religious grounds and said in his Christian view the best interest of a child would not be served in same-sex households.
The grandad-of-four argued there was not enough scientific evidence backing new legislation enabling gay couples to adopt, and that children were being used as "guinea pigs" in an "experiment of social science".
• See tomorrow's Star for Mr McClintock's reaction to the decision.
-
Last Updated:
02 March 2007 12:06 PM
-
Source:
n/a
-
Location:
Sheffield
