Pro-Brexit views not covered by equalities law, tribunal rules

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Backing Brexit is not a protected belief under equalities law, an employment tribunal has ruled as a former Ukip councillor was found to have been sacked for sharing offensive social media posts about immigrants. She argued that her political views were philosophical beliefs, protected by the Equality Act, pointing to her support for Brexit, opposition to illegal immigration and her desire for the UK to pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights. But a tribunal found that none of the beliefs are protected by the Equality Act, with employment judge Paul Jumble saying wanting to quit the EU is an opinion and not a philosophical belief. On balance, the tribunal found that the claimant had genuinely held opinions and views but she did not convince the tribunal that she had any underlying philosophical belief.” Ms Fairbanks began working for the charity in October 2022, and she told the court she was “bullied and harassed” from then on.