Sacked man claims he was discriminated against for 'ethical veganism' in landmark case

A tribunal is to decide whether veganism is a philosophical or religious belief in a landmark legal action.

Jordi Casamitjana said he was sacked by the League Against Cruel Sports after revealing that its pension fund was being invested into companies involved in animal testing.

He claims he was unfairly disciplined and that the decision to dismiss him was because of his philosophical belief in ethical veganism.

Dietary vegans and ethical vegans both eat a plant-based diet, but ethical vegans also try to exclude forms of animal exploitation including not wearing clothing made of wool or leather and not using products tested on animals.

Mr Casamitjana’s lawyers said ethical veganism satisfies the tests required for it to be a philosophical or religious belief, which would mean it was protected under the Equality Act 2010.

For a belief to be protected under the Act, it must meet a series of tests including being worthy of respect in a democratic society, not being incompatible with human dignity and not conflicting with fundamental rights of others.

Bindmans LLP solicitor Peter Daly, who is acting for Mr Casamitjana, said ethical veganism "comfortably" met the tests needed to establish it as a philosophical or religious belief.

He added: "Ethical veganism is more than simply a dietary choice.

"It is a particular and well-defined philosophical view about the relationship between humans and animals.

"It is based on well-considered and substantial philosophical thinking."

Mr Casamitjana said the hearing was not primarily about his dismissal, but about establishing ethical veganism as a philosophical belief.

He added: "Although the manner in which I was dismissed was intensely distressing for me, some good may come of it if I am able to establish this valuable protection for all ethical vegans.

"If we are successful in that hearing, we will then proceed to a hearing on the specifics of my dismissal."

But the League Against Cruel Sports said it sacked Mr Casamitjana for gross misconduct and that linking the decision to his veganism was "factually wrong".

In a statement to the BBC, it added: "Mr Casamitjana was dismissed from his position because of gross misconduct.

"To link his dismissal with issues pertaining to veganism is factually wrong.

"Mr Casamitjana is seeking to use his veganism as the reason for his dismissal. We emphatically reject this claim."

Mr Casamitjana is crowdfunding his legal fees for the case, which will be heard in March next year.