The European Commission informed the United Kingdom on Nov. 20 that it has incorrectly implemented European Union anti-discrimination rules.

Among other infractions cited by the EC, the UK allows religious employers to discriminate based on sexual orientation.

The UK was supposed to have implemented the EU rules no later than 2003.

The EC determinations reportedly followed a complaint made by the National Secular Society.

According to the Guardian newspaper, “the (UK) government now has no choice but to redraft anti-discrimination laws, which is likely to prompt a furor among church groups.”

Present law allows religious groups to reject gay job applicants if homosexuality conflicts “with the strongly held religious convictions of a significant number of the religion’s followers.”

By Rex Wockner