A BORN Again Christian teacher has been awarded more than £10,000 after complaining she was victimised for her religion in a Bournemouth staff room incident allegedly including atheists and Muslims.

Most of the award was for “ injury to feelings” after Miss Kathleen Mortimer’s work as a teacher of English was terminated at the Cavendish School of English in Bournemouth.

The award was made at Bristol Employment Tribunal where Miss Mortimer made legal claims against the school for religious and age discrimination.

She also made “whistle blowing” allegations and complained she was victimised because of her Born Again Christianity.

The respondents had opposed the claims on the grounds that Miss Mortimer had been self employed on a short term contract and that she was not eligible to make her legal claims. They also denied her allegations.

Miss Mortimer said in a report issued a few days ago, that there was an a staff room incident where another teacher, Miss Skipp, allegedly claimed Christians were violent.

Miss Mortimer, alleged the respondents, flew across the room, shouting and screaming in a threatening manner to confront Miss Skipp and two male teachers had to interpose themselves between the two women. Miss Skipp is alleged to have apologised later.

Miss Mortimer, who was later diagnosed with a depressive illness, denied she did this, however, and alleged Miss Skipp was supported by atheists and some Muslims in the room.

She said there were also two other Christians in the room “but they were not the kind of Christians as myself.”

A meeting was arranged to discuss the situation which Miss Mortimer objected against because she declared she had not done anything wrong.

She told the respondents :”I feel that you and them are now conducting a witch hunt because I have made it clear that I am a Christian and my involvement with the said teacher was in reference to my faith which I defended. I am not the first Christian to defend my faith against a militant atheist.”

Tribunal Judge O’Rourke said in his report that Miss Mortimer considered Miss Skipp to be an atheist and that she claimed she was treated more favourably than herself because of her religion .

The judge said, however, that although Miss Mortimer was treated less favourably than Miss Skipp it was not because of her religion. As a result the claim for direct religious discrimination was dismissed.

But Judge O’Rourke agreed Miss Mortimer was victimised by the respondents because of her religion and that she should be awarded £9,500 for injury to feelings.

Judge O’Rourke dismissed Miss Mortimer’s “whistle blowing” allegations about class sizes and teaching levels and described her as a Christian with strong beliefs.

“The respondents are obliged to “take the victims as they are” and therefore take account of the particular sensitivities of any potential victim of discrimination – and that clearly did not happen in this case.”

The £10,650 award also included £416 unpaid holiday pay and £734 interest over 353 days at eight per cent.