Key points: Judge Sturgeon refused a recusal request in the employment tribunal between the Belfast Film Festival and Sara Morrison, who alleges discrimination over her views on sex and gender. Professor Deborah Boyd voluntarily stepped down for health reasons after concerns were raised about her past role and online activity. The BFF argued the recusal bid relied on limited social-media screenshots and did not demonstrate actual bias. The hearing will continue with two panel members.
Judge Rejects Bid to Remove Tribunal Panel in Belfast Gender-Beliefs Case
Key points: Judge Sturgeon refused a recusal request in the employment tribunal between the Belfast Film Festival and Sara Morrison, who alleges discrimination over her views on sex and gender. Professor Deborah Boyd voluntarily stepped down for health reasons after concerns were raised about her past role and online activity. The BFF argued the recusal bid relied on limited social-media screenshots and did not demonstrate actual bias. The hearing will continue with two panel members.
10:34 PM, 11/14/2025Society
Judge refuses recusal request; tribunal to continue with two panel members
Judge Sturgeon has rejected a bid to disqualify herself and another panel member in an employment tribunal between the Belfast Film Festival (BFF) and former employee Sara Morrison, who says she was discriminated against over her views on sex and gender.
On Friday, Ms Morrison's legal team submitted a recusal application asking the judge and two tribunal members to step down. Judge Sturgeon dismissed the requests for her own recusal and that of panel member Michael McKeown. Professor Deborah Boyd, the third panel member, voluntarily withdrew from the hearing for health reasons shortly after the application was made.
Ms Morrison's barrister, Naomi Cunningham, told the tribunal that Professor Boyd had previously been a director of a women's organisation whose stance she said was adverse to Ms Morrison's beliefs. Ms Cunningham also said Professor Boyd had taken steps to reduce her online footprint, which the barrister argued made it harder to identify potential conflicts.
'The fact that Professor Boyd didn't bring it to the attention of parties is concerning,' Ms Cunningham told the tribunal.
Ms Morrison says she was forced out of her role as inclusion and audience development coordinator at the BFF after attending a 2023 rally organised by Let Women Speak. The BFF opened an inquiry after complaints from members of the LGBTQ community about her participation. Ms Morrison initially left work citing stress and later resigned.
She has publicly said she believes biological sex cannot be changed and has argued for keeping men out of women’s spaces, while criticising several local women's organisations. Her claim, which has received financial backing from author J.K. Rowling, alleges unlawful discrimination by the BFF because of her views on sex and gender.
Representing the BFF, barrister Sean Doherty described the recusal application as 'staggering' and said it was based on selective social media screenshots rather than evidence of actual bias. He argued that Professor Boyd's support for Pride, as shown in some posts, is not proof of pre-determination.
'That is not evidence of pre-determination of any sort,' Mr Doherty said.
Judge Sturgeon told the tribunal her duty is to ensure a fair hearing and to keep the proceedings on schedule. She confirmed the hearing will continue with two panel members present. The tribunal remains ongoing.