Felix Ngole

Felix was expelled from his university social work course after posting comments on his Facebook page in support of Biblical teaching.

Felix was removed from his university social work course in 2016 after he made comments on his personal Facebook page in support of Biblical teaching on marriage and sexual ethics. Felix was told that, by posting his comments on Facebook, he “may have caused offence to some individuals” and had “transgressed boundaries which are not deemed appropriate for someone entering the Social Work profession.”

Felix’s case raised doubt over whether Christians in regulated professions enjoy free speech protections. However, in a landmark judgment in 2019, the Court of Appeal overturned a previous High Court ruling, making it clear that Christians do have the legal right to express Biblical views on social media and elsewhere in public without fear for their professional careers.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, commented on the outcome of Felix’s case:

“We are delighted that the court of Appeal has seen the importance of this case and made a ruling that accords with common sense. It is shocking that the university sought to censor expression of the Bible in this way, and we hope this sends out a message of freedom across all universities and professions that Christians and others should be allowed to express their views without fear of censorship or discipline.”

Despite this victory, Felix later had a job offer withdrawn after his would-be employer discovered his beliefs. He is currently pursuing justice through an Employment Tribunal case.

Links

• Social worker appeals after ‘discrimination’ win