Churchman's old colleagues back fight for compensation

FORMER colleagues of a South African churchman suspended by Edinburgh University are demanding he should receive £100,000 compensation.

Methodist minister Dr Daryl Balia was removed from his post in charge of a major international church conference held in the Capital this month and banned from attending the event he had spent three years organising.

He accused fellow churchmen of bullying and intimidation and has since lodged an employment tribunal claim, alleging unfair dismissal.

Now three senior academics who worked with Dr Balia in his previous post in Birmingham, have written to the university and the Church of Scotland saying they are "surprised and disturbed" at the way he has been treated and arguing he should be paid 100,000 compensation.

Professor John Hull, of Birmingham University, said: "The university and church must compensate Daryl and his family for the grief and isolation they have experienced and for the unwarranted damage to his status and employment prospects.

Dr Anthony Reddie, research fellow at the Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, said: "We feel very strongly Daryl has been badly treated."

Dr Evie Vernon, director of the Selly Oak centre for mission studies, added: "I find it hard to believe the way they have treated him."