Shahrar Ali v Green Party
Ex-deputy leader sues Green Party alleging discrimination of gender critical beliefs
The former deputy leader of the party, Shahrar Ali, is now suing the Green party alleging discrimination on account of his gender-critical beliefs.
In February 2022, Ali was sacked from his position as policing and domestic safety spokesman and alleges he faced discrimination, hostility and victimisation due to his views regarding gender identity ideology— gender critical beliefs are protected under the 2010 Equality Act.
Ali said "'This campaign of discrimination was conducted, induced or aided by members of the Party including by officers, elected representatives and committee members."
This is the first known civil trial of its kind whereby a political party member is taking on their own party to defend their right to free speech.
Visit Shahrar's crowdfunder here: Worthy of Respect in A Political Party
Status
JUDGMENT - Judge Hellman delivered a short judgment in person on 9 February 2024. Ruling that the Green Party had unlawfully discriminated against Shahrar Ali and failed to observe it’s own procedures when dismissing him as a spokesperson. The judge mentioned that the full judgment runs to 61 pages.
Thread of summary judgment 9 February 2024
The trial took place over 21st - 25th August 2023, in person only at the Mayor's & City of London court.
The trial was originally scheduled to start at 2pm on Monday 21st August but may now start at 11am to deal with an application.
Submissions took place on 21 November 2023.
Live Tweeting sessions
Monday 21 August afternoon - procedural matters plus examination of Shahrar Ali by Catherine Casserley, barrister for the Green Party.
Tuesday 22 August morning to mid afternoon - examination of Shahrar Ali by Catherine Casserley
Tuesday 22 August midafternoon to end of day - examination of Shahrar Ali by Catherine Casserley
Wednesday 23 August morning - Shahrar Ali concludes examination and Julia Lagoutte and Zoe Hatch are cross examined
Wednesday 23 August morning supplement - thread above omitted approximately 15 tweets due to a technical error.
Wednesday 23 August afternoon Part one & Part two- Jeffrey Jupp completes cross examination of Mary Clegg
Thursday 24 August morning Part one & Part two - Jeffrey Jupp begins cross examination of Molly Scott Cato
Thursday 24 August afternoon Part One & Part two - Cross examination of Molly Scott Cato continues
Friday 25 August morning Part one & Part two - evidence from Molly Scott Cato concluded, evidence from Elizabeth Reason begins.
Friday 25 August afternoon - there is only one thread for the afternoon as the court rose before 4 pm. Evidence from Elizabeth Reason and Jonathan Bartley.
21 November, morning Part one & Part two, afternoon - one thread. Important note: the initials EM were used to identify the barrister for GP during the morning session. The correct initials were CC. Apologies for any confusion to readers.
Abbreviations
J - Judge Hellman
SA - Shahrar Ali, claimant
JJ Jeffrey Jupp, barrister
EM Elizabeth McGlone, solicitor, Didlaw
GPEW – Green Party of England & Wales, defendent, represented by Elizabeth Reason and Jon Nott
CC - Catherine Casserley, barrister
MJ - Mindy Jhittay, solicitor, Bates Wells
Witnesses
JL Julia Lagoutte, GPEW officer 2020-2023
ZH Cllr Zoe Hatch, GPEW officer 2021-2022
RN Rashid Nix, GPEW officer 2019-2023
Witnesses
MC - Mary Clegg, GPEW CEO
MSC - Molly Scott Cato, GPEW External Communications Coordinator
ER - Elizabeth Reason, Chair of GPEW, 2018-2022
JB - Jonathan Bartley, Co-Leader GPEW, 2016-2021
Press Coverage
Here are links to a selection of relevant press coverage about this case. These links are included without comment and are not endorsed by Tribunal Tweets. This is a sample of coverage only, with most recent first - it is not comprehensive. Please DM our main Twitter account to submit coverage from an established news outlet. Any paywalled article must be archived.
14 February 2024
People Management - Lessons for HR from Green Party battle with ‘gender critical’ former spokesperson
9 February 2024
BBC - Shahrar Ali: Green Party loses 'gender critical' court battle
Unherd - Shahrar Ali wins gender-critical case against Green Party
Guardian - Green party incorrectly sacked spokesperson in part over trans rights views, court rules
The Times - Green Party unfairly sacked spokesman for gender-critical views
The Telegraph - Ex-deputy leader wins ‘gender-critical’ court battle against Greens
Spiked - How Shahrar Ali beat the trans inquisition
23 Aug 2023
BBC - Green Party taken to court over gender-critical row
22 Aug 2023
Unherd - Green Party’s trans court case is a sign of things to come
20 Aug 2023
The Telegraph - Former Green deputy sues party after being sacked amid row over his trans views
19 Aug 2023
The Times - Former Greens deputy takes party to court in row over trans views
27 Feb 2022
[VIDEO] Free Speech Nation - Cancelled Green Party Spokesman Dr. Shahrar Ali
19 Feb 2022
The Telegraph - Green Party spokesman sues after being sacked for transgender views
17 Aug 2021
The Guardian- Green frontbencher at centre of trans rights row to run for leadership