Church woman denies anti-gay digs

Stephen Price said he was bullied by Mair Jones's constant talk about sex

A woman who runs a religious centre near Brecon, Powys has denied sexually harassing a gay man who worked for her.

Stephen Price, 25, of Clydach near Abergavenny, claims he was bullied out of his job by Mair Jones, 40, because she made anti-homosexual taunts.

Ms Jones told an employment tribunal a birthday present to Mr Price of a toilet roll with pink fairies on it was innocently chosen.

The Presbyterian Church of Wales denies sexual harassment and discrimination.

Mr Price, who is openly gay, had worked alongside Ms Jones at the church's 250-year-old Trefeca centre, a 37-bed retreat visited by church groups from around Britain.

He had told the hearing he was forced to quit as the assistant manager because of Ms Jones's non-stop comments about sex, which included calling him a "stupid poof" and telling other staff he "batted for the other side".

But giving evidence on Wednesday, Ms Jones said she did not even know Mr Price was gay and denied driving him away from the centre.

When I think of Oscar Wilde I think intellect, good looks and wit - not the fact he was a homosexual Mair Jones on her choice of birthday card for Stephen Price

She said: "He never told me about his sexual orientation and I have never called him a poof.

"I did not tell other colleagues that he batted for the other side - that is not even language that I would use."

Asked why Mr Price would have fabricated his claims against her, Ms Jones replied: "I don't know."

Philosophy graduate Mr Price told the tribunal that she gave him an "offensive" 24th birthday present of toilet roll with pink fairies on it and a card with a picture of Oscar Wilde.

But Ms Jones said the gift was an innocently-chosen birthday present and the card came from an assorted box.

"He had only worked with us for a week when I found out it was his birthday and I wanted to mark the occasion," she said.

"I had a pack of toilet rolls with the Christmas designs and I just happened to pick the one with fairies on.

I was and still am shocked to have been referred to as a poof, I am very proud of both my faith and my sexual orientation Stephen Price

"When I think of Oscar Wilde I think intellect, good looks and wit - not the fact he was a homosexual.

"I was not aware he found my gift extremely offensive."

The tribunal heard that an internal church investigation had upheld claims of aggressive behaviour, foul language and bullying by Ms Jones, who had worked at the church centre for 10 years.

But the Presbyterian Church of Wales failed to take any disciplinary action against her. On Tuesday, Mr Price told the hearing Ms Jones made constant jokes about sex and every conversation involved innuendo and double entendre.

"I was and still am shocked to have been referred to as a poof. I am very proud of both my faith and my sexual orientation," he said.

Mr Price said he was moved to another office in Cardiff after less than 12 months but resigned when he was told to return to the college. He is also suing for constructive dismissal.

The tribunal hearing was adjourned. It is expected submissions will be made at a future hearing, ahead of a judgement.