A support worker at a hostel for homeless people in Southampton was recently suspended for explaining his views on homosexuality during a conversation with a colleague.

David Booker, a committed Christian, maintains that he is not homophobic but expressed his opposition to both same-sex marriages and actively homosexual clergy during the conversation. He says that he was not aware of having caused any offence and was shocked to be suspended: 'Can I not have a private conversation with a colleague about my personal beliefs without getting suspended?'

The Society of St James, who run the hostel (and do not have a religious affiliation), wrote to Mr Booker to inform him that he was suspended ahead of an inquiry into gross misconduct. Their letter claimed that he had broken the charity's code of conduct by 'promoting your religious views which contained discriminatory comments regarding a person's sexual orientation'.Andrea Minichiello Williams, director of the Christian Legal Centre who are advising Mr Booker, said: 'This case shows that in today's politically correct, increasingly secularised society, even consenting reasonable discussion on religion between two employees is being twisted by employers to discriminate and silence the Christian voice and freedom of expression.' (ccfon.org 2009; 11 April, telegraph.co.uk 2009; 11 April)