In the case of Ms Seyi Omooba v Leicester Theatre Trust Ltd, an actress, billed to play a lesbian character, was not subjected to discrimination or harassment by either her agent or the theatre she was working for when she was dismissed after it came to light that she had previously posted on her public Facebook page that she did “not believe homosexuality is right”.
The tribunal held that the theatre’s chief executive, Chris Stafford, had not discriminated against her, but “made a commercial decision” without any personal view informing it. Similarly, her claim for harassment failed. “Stafford did not have the purpose of violating the claimant’s dignity or creating an intimidating or humiliating environment for her. His purpose was to save the production,” the tribunal ruled.
Discussions by Stafford with the cast and crew, some of whom were gay, revealed internal dissension. He also feared the issue could lead to boycotts, audience booing and demands for ticket refunds.
Therefore, on 21 March, Stafford sent Chatt a letter for Omooba terminating her engagement, and a copy of the public statement the theatre was going to release later. She was told she would still be paid the full contract sum.
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