Christian social worker Felix Ngole has returned to the Court of Appeal in the latest stage of his legal battle over a job offer withdrawn after his employer discovered his Christian beliefs.

Ngole was offered a mental health support role with charity Touchstone Leeds in 2022 after being assessed as the best candidate. The offer was later withdrawn after Touchstone discovered reports about his previous legal case and his publicly expressed Christian views on marriage and sexuality.

An Employment Tribunal found that Mr Ngole had been directly discriminated against when the offer was initially withdrawn, but allowed Touchstone to reconsider the appointment following a second interview.

In February 2026, the Employment Appeal Tribunal found flaws in the original tribunal’s reasoning and ordered parts of the case to be reconsidered. Ngole is now asking the Court of Appeal to rule that the existing findings establish direct discrimination and that he should not have to return to the Employment Tribunal.

Tim Dieppe, head of public policy at Christian Concern, which is supporting Mr Ngole, said the case raises significant questions about how Christian beliefs are treated in the workplace.

“Touchstone, the employer here, is arguing that his beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman, and even John 3:16, is so triggering that it could cause someone to commit suicide,” he said. 

Dieppe said the argument means the case could have wider implications for Christians who hold traditional beliefs. “It’s saying that Christian beliefs are dangerous, a mental health danger to people, just holding the beliefs, not even expressing them. Somebody finding out that you have these beliefs could endanger people.”

He added that such view is based on what is known as “minority stress theory”, which he described as being tested in court in this case.

Touchstone has previously said the case highlights important principles for employers balancing inclusivity with conflicting beliefs and protected characteristics.

The charity has said its decisions were not based on Ngole’s beliefs themselves, and that it acted with the aim of protecting its service users, staff and others involved in the organisation.

It added: "Touchstone is wholly committed to the celebration of equal rights, diversity and inclusion and we pride ourselves on being a strong ally to the LGBTQI+ community, as well as all religious communities."

The Court of Appeal hearing is taking place over two days, with a judgment expected at a later date.