(London) An employment tribunal has ruled that an Islington city clerk in North London was the victim on job discrimination when she was told she could be fired for refusing to perform civil partnerships for gay couples.

Lillian Ladele, 47, filed the discrimination case alleging she had been harassed and threatened with dismissal when she said her Christian belief opposed same-sex unions.

“[The Council] placed a greater value on the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community than it placed on the rights of Ms Ladele as one holding an orthodox Christian belief,” the tribunal said in a unanimous ruling.

Ladele, who stands to receive a substantial financial award at a second hearing in September, said she was pleased with the ruling.

“This is a victory for religious liberty, not just for myself but for others in a similar position. Gay rights should not be used as an excuse to bully and harass people over their religious beliefs,” she told The Times of London.

LGBT rights group said the ruling sets a dangerous precedent.

“Public servants are paid by taxpayers to deliver public services. They shouldn’t be able to pick and choose who they deliver those services to,” said Stonewall spokesperson Ben Summerskill. “Doubtless 40 years ago there were moral objections to mixed-race marriages. Quite rightly such objections would no longer be entertained.”

Peter Tatchell, of OutRage, told The Times: “Lillian Ladele claims she was won a victory for religious liberty. No, she has not. She has won a victory for the right to discriminate.”

Islington council said it may appeal the ruling.

Despite Ladele’s refusal to perform civil partnerships, other clerks were available to same-sex couples and some 600 gay and lesbian couples have had ceremonies in Islington.