Tribunal Bias Concerns: Chris Tansley Removed from Hannah’s Case

Tribunal Member Removed Due to Bias Concerns in Teacher’s Case

The tribunal reviewing the case of ‘Hannah’, a Christian primary school teacher, has seen a significant development following the removal of Chris Tansley, former UNISON head, from the tribunal bench. Hannah was dismissed from her teaching role after she expressed concerns about a student in her class undergoing “social transition” facilitated by Stonewall, a group with a history of US government funding.

Concerns over Tansley’s impartiality arose due to his previous pro-transgender statements and his association with “Transgender Day of Remembrance” and the far-left organization Hope Not Hate. As a result, Hannah’s legal team filed for his recusal.

Employment Judge Peter McTigue agreed with the recusal, emphasizing the necessity for tribunals to maintain freedom from “apparent bias.” He stated, “Tribunals must be completely above any reasonable suspicion of bias or impartiality. It must be free from ‘apparent bias.'” He further noted that Tansley’s recent employment by the tribunal’s respondent until 2023 posed more than a minimal risk of bias.

To ensure impartiality, a new tribunal member will be appointed to provide the trade union perspective. This is not the first delay Hannah’s case has faced. A year prior, a similar issue led to the recusal of the entire panel when a lay member’s social media posts revealed anti-Christian and anti-conservative sentiments.

Jed Purkis, a GMB union officer, faced scrutiny for his online comments, which were deemed misconduct, resulting in a formal reprimand. Purkis had expressed that only atheists should hold public office, saying, “you won’t catch us killing in the name of our non-god”. He also criticized Christians, questioning their morality given current global issues and stating, “I need no ‘higher power’ to tell me the right way to treat people and behave…’”

Hannah’s legal battle is supported by the Christian Legal Centre, which continues to advocate on her behalf as the case proceeds with a newly appointed tribunal member.