Gender-critical worker loses belief case against Belfast Film Festival

Sara Morrison, who brought a discrimination case against Belfast Film Festival over her gender-critical beliefs, has lost her claim.

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Morrison worked as an inclusion and audience development coordinator for BFF. She claimed she had been forced out of her job after she made a speech at a Let Women Speak rally in 2023.

Following her participation in the rally, BFF “initiated a fact-finding investigation”, the tribunal heard. It said that a number of external organisations had raised concerns related to Morrison’s actions, finding them incompatible with her role as an inclusion coordinator.

Morrison went off on sick leave after the investigation began, citing stress. She later resigned.

The tribunal found that BFF’s decision to investigate was “not influenced by [Morrison’s] political opinion itself but by concerns regarding the impact of the situation upon matters central to [Morrison’s] role”.

Therefore, it ruled in a judgment published on Friday, this did not constitute less favourable treatment on the ground of political opinion.

The judgment stated: “The tribunal therefore concludes that [Morrison’s] political opinion was not the reason, nor any part of the reason, for the treatment complained of.”

Regarding a separate claim for harassment, the tribunal acknowledged that some of the matters she complained about arose “in the context” of her publicly expressed political opinion, and that her views had been criticised by stakeholders on numerous occasions.

However, this did not mean that BFF’s own conduct amounted to unwanted conduct on the ground of political opinion.

Morrison also lost her claim for constructive dismissal.

The BFF welcomed the tribunal’s decision. It said: “Throughout, we have acted in good faith and in line with our policies and legal responsibilities.

“We remain committed to fair employment practices and to maintaining a respectful and inclusive working environment.”

Morrison was supported in her claim by the Free Speech Union and activists, including Maya Forstater and JK Rowling.

In November 2025, her legal team launched a recusal application asking for the judge in the case and two other panel members to stand down, accusing them of bias.

Her barrister pointed out that one of the panel was a former director of a women’s organisation that held an opposite view to Morrison, whose view is that a person cannot change their biological sex.

Reflecting on the decision, she said it was “disappointing that the Northern Ireland industrial tribunal has dismissed all of my claims against Belfast Film Festival. I disagree with the judgment and I am considering my options”.

“This case matters beyond me. It is the first time a Northern Irish tribunal has considered a gender-critical belief discrimination case. It will not be the last. I believe the tribunal got this wrong, and future cases will need to be judged on their facts.”