Magistrate sacked for gay adoption row faces losing NHS directorship

A magistrate, Richard Page, was fired for suggesting that same-sex couples shouldn’t bring up children and now he may lose his NHS directorship.

Last year the 69-year-old from Headcorn was reprimanded and sent on an equality course because he said it was “natural and in the interests of a child to be brought up by a mother and father.”

Page who also works as an NHS manager in mental health services has been told by the NHS Trust Development Authority, which can fire directors on behalf of the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, that he has been suspended.

He was told that his views may have a “negative impact” on the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust which he is a non-executive director.

He has held the position for five years and has denied being homophobic, saying he’s had gay friends and colleagues and that his wife had nursed a man dying of AIDS related illness.

“I would never discriminate against anyone in the health service, and there is no evidence that I have. It is very disappointing that I am being treated like this.”