NO BAPTISM, NO BUS PASS CASE REFERRED TO EQUALITY COMMISSION

Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament, Fiona Hall has written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission regarding the case of the boy who was refused a bus pass because his parents had not had him baptised.

The case came to light in September this year, when Elliot Stewart’s parents wrote to local Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Fiona Hall expressing their concern that their son had been denied a bus pass by Durham County Council on the sole basis that he  was  not baptised.

Elliot did well to be accepted into a high performing Catholic Secondary school, but the joy of his parents was dented after they received the news that he was not eligible for free travel.

Ms Hall has now received correspondence from a number of other parents in the same predicament. As well as writing to Durham County Council and the Schools Minister, Fiona Hall has now raised the issue with the Equality and Human Rights Commission asking whether the case constitutes discrimination on religious grounds. Ms Hall has previously raised the issue with Durham County Council requesting that they reconsider the case.

Commenting on the case, Ms Hall said:

“Whether or not a child is baptised should be a matter for the parents, not the council. And eligibility for free travel to and from school should not depend on religious convictions.

“I had  previously written to the Schools Minister and Durham County Council and have now approached the Equality and Human Rights Commission.”

Speaking about the decision to refuse him a bus pass, Elliot Stewart said:

“It’s a bit unfair because everyone I know has got a bus pass but I haven’t because I’m not a Catholic.”