ience, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
She is now taking both government departments to an employment tribunal on several grounds, including unfair constructive dismissal and victimisation, as well as direct and indirect discrimination based on her philosophical beliefs.
Ms Frances believes that she was left with no option than to quit the civil service last August after she blew the whistle on allegations of discrimination and breaches of impartiality on sex and gender issues.
She raised concerns formally about a series of issues internally, but claims that instead of being taken seriously, she was ignored and sidelined.
Her concerns included complaints about a “politicised climate of fear” around equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) policies, with civil servants who question the institutional position on issues such as gender facing negative professional consequences.
Ms Frances also claims that an internal “Gender Identity and Intersex” policy was adopted, without proper consultation, following a workplace assessment by Stonewall, the controversial gay rights organisation.
She says the policy’s use of politicised language and concepts – for example, defining “transphobia” as including the “denial/refusal to accept” someone’s gender identity – meant that civil servants were effectively compelled to recognise male people as women.
She also claimed that the policy of “self-identification” in government premises meant that men were allowed to access female single-sex facilities, with the threat of disciplinary action against any women who might object….
The Free Speech Union (FSU) is launching a crowdfunder to pay for Ms Frances to have legal representation at her tribunal, for which there was a preliminary hearing last month with further hearings expected for later this year.
Jill Levene, legal counsel at the FSU, said: “Impartiality is the cornerstone of a well-functioning civil service. Eleanor’s treatment is a clear example of a civil service that has been captured by radical progressive ideology.”
Go here for the FSU crowdfunder.
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