Cubbit calls for WELB resignations

Julie Brudell, a former Primary 3 teacher with over 25 years experience, was made redundant from her position at Ballykelly Primary school last year. It was ruled yesterday that Mrs Brudell's selection for redundancy was discriminatory on the grounds of her religion. Yesterday UUC councillor Leslie Cubitt said "heads should roll" over the incident.

"I am calling for the entire Board of Governors of Ballykelly Primary School to resign from their positions. They had a hand in letting this experienced teacher go on the grounds that she was a Protestant. This is unacceptable and I would go as far to say that even the Principal of the primary school should consider her position as well. It's a disgrace the way in which this woman was treated."

Julie Brudell, supported by the Equality Commission, brought the case against the Board of Governors of Ballykelly Primary School, and the Western Education and Library Board following her selection for redundancy in March 2009. She was awarded over 8,000 for the ordeal.

Councillor Cubitt called into question the role of WELB in setting criteria for Mrs Brudell's redundancy.

"The Human Resources people at the Western Education and Library Board should have a look again at whether they are right to be still in their jobs. They set the criteria for this lady to lose their job."

The tribunal said Ms Brudell: "Received the treatment she did because of her religion, or at the very least, to the extent that the respondents' motives could be said to be mixed, her religion was an important factor in the respondents' decision-making process".

Ballykelly Primary has always admitted pupils from both sides of the religious divide but Catholic religious education was always taught by Catholic teachers. Speaking on councillor Cubitt's call for resignations over the case, a WELB spokesperson said: "The report on the case produced by the Equality Commission will provide full details of findings."

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