Wednesday 6 February 2008

Sacked porter to appeal


A hospital porter from Salford, sacked after a row over a prayer room crucifix, is to appeal.

Joseph Protano, 54, a Roman Catholic, worked at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for two years where he regularly attended the hospital prayer room.

Mr Protano, from Salford, Greater Manchester, became annoyed when Muslim visitors repeatedly covered up statues of the Virgin Mary and the crucifix while they prayed.

On one occasion there was a "confrontation" between Mr Protano and three Muslim visitors after the porter came into the prayer room to uncover the statues.

The police were called to the incident on November 30 last year, but have decided not to take further action.

However, Mr Protano's employers, Medirest, who supply staff to the hospital, suspended him on December 4 and he was sacked last week on the grounds of gross misconduct.

His case has now been taken up by his union, Unison, who have launched an internal appeal to his employers on his behalf on the grounds of racial and religious discrimination.

Mr Protano protests that he respects all religions but as a Christian, covering up statues and crucifixes offends him.

No date has yet been set for the appeal and Mr Protano said he is not allowed to comment before the hearing.

A spokeswoman for Medirest said: "I can confirm we have undertaken a detailed and robust disciplinary process with a porter working at Manchester Royal Children's Hospital. It is not our company policy to make comment on individual cases."

Frontline Comments:

Its a prayer room for all, not just muslims so what right do they have to offend other religions in the room. I rate the man for making a stand, he should take this to the top!