Hospital porter sacked in prayer room row to appeal

A hospital porter from Salford, sacked after a row over a prayer room crucifix, is to appeal. Joseph Protano, 54, a Roman Catholic, worked at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for two years where he regularly attended the hospital prayer room.

Mr Protano, from Salford, Greater Manchester, became annoyed when Muslim visitors repeatedly covered up statues of the Virgin Mary and the crucifix while they prayed. On one occasion there was a "confrontation" between Mr Protano and three Muslim visitors after the porter came into the prayer room to uncover the statues. The police were called to the incident on November 30 last year, but have decided not to take further action.

However, Mr Protano's employers, Medirest, who supply staff to the hospital, suspended him on December 4 and he was sacked last week on the grounds of gross misconduct. His case has now been taken up by his union, Unison, who have launched an internal appeal to his employers on his behalf on the grounds of racial and religious discrimination.

Mr Protano protests that he respects all religions, but — as a Christian — covering up statues and crucifixes offends him. No date has yet been set for the appeal and Mr Protano said he is not allowed to comment before the hearing.

Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said: “Religious activists of all kinds are turning the workplace and our schools into battlegrounds. An option of declaring a workplace secular, and asking employees to leave their religion at home, is long overdue.”

29 February 2008