Sacked choirmaster accepts £7,500 after ‘living in sin’ row

A choirmaster who claimed he was sacked for "living in
sin" has received a £7,500 settlement days before the case was to go
before an employment tribunal.

Stephen Hartley had planned to sue the Church of England for unfair
dismissal after losing his job as director of music at St James’s Church in
Wetherby, West Yorkshire.

The 63-year-old was claiming up to £30,000 in damages after claiming he
was ousted when 46-year-old evangelical vicar Philip Evans discovered he was
living unmarried with his partner.

An agreed statement from the parties’ solicitors revealed the Parochial
Church Council reached a settlement with Mr Hartley. The settlement includes a
payment of £7,500 for Mr Hartley, a job reference and a confidentiality clause.

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By Paul Nelson