A school chaplain who was dismissed and subsequently blacklisted following a sermon on gender identity has successfully challenged his removal, ending a seven-year dispute over his reinstatement. Bernard Randall, 53, was employed at Trent College in Nottingham when he was reportedly sacked in 2019 after addressing issues related to identity politics and transgenderism in a chapel sermon.

Randall, a former Cambridge University college chaplain, argued that senior staff at the Church of England-affiliated school unfairly dismissed him after he stated that the Church views marriage as between biological men and women. He delivered the sermon in response to students’ questions about the school’s recently introduced sexual orientation diversity policy. His legal team described the sermon as pastoral, encouraging open discussion and grounded in Anglican doctrine.

Following his sermon, Randall was reported without his knowledge to the government’s Prevent programme—a counter-terrorism initiative aimed at early intervention. His lawyers contend that he was treated like a criminal and that the diocese of Derby subsequently blacklisted him as a safeguarding risk. However, an independent review by the diocese of London found insufficient evidence to conclude that Randall’s sermon caused harm.

The controversy coincided with a training day held at the school by Educate and Celebrate, an external campaign group and charity focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion, which was later shut down in 2024. A 2023 employment tribunal noted the group’s promotion of concepts such as “smash heteronormativity” and alleged efforts to integrate queer theory into the school curriculum.

Randall’s representatives confirmed he has completed all required safeguarding training and is eligible to resume ministry with “permission to officiate.” Despite this, they say the Bishop of Derby has not facilitated his return to active ministry. Following the legal settlement, Randall said the case had cost him seven years of his vocation and emphasized that no chaplain or teacher should be penalized for upholding Christian teachings in a faith-based educational setting.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern and the Christian Legal Centre, who represented Randall, called on Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally to meet with him. Williams criticized the school for capitulating to ideological pressures, suggesting this had led to a significant departure from its Christian ethos.

The diocese of Derby was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.