A homosexual Christian questioned about his sex life during a job interview with a bishop has won a claim for discrimination against the Church of England.

John Reaney was the favourite candidate for the role of youth worker within the Hereford diocese. But his appointment was blocked by the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis who, during a two-hour meeting, questioned Mr Reaney about a previous gay relationship. Yesterday a tribunal found that the Hereford diocesan board of finance had turned Mr Reaney down for the job because of his sexuality.

Mr Reaney, 42, had claimed unlawful discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. He was supported and financed by Stonewall, the gay rights lobby group.

He told the hearing, in Cardiff in April, that his encounter with the bishop was so embarrassing and humiliating that he broke down in tears on his drive home.

Three days later the bishop telephoned Mr Reaney to say that his application had not been successful.

In evidence the bishop said that Mr Reaney’s sexuality was not an issue but his lifestyle “has the potential to impact on the spiritual, moral and ethical leadership within the diocese”.

Mr Reaney’s legal team argued, however, that a heterosexual person would not have been subject to the same level of intrusive questioning.

After the ruling Mr Reaney, of Colwyn Bay, north Wales, said: “I’m delighted that the Bishop of Hereford has lost this case. It demonstrates to many lesbian and gay Christians working for God within the Church of England that they are entitled to fair and respectful treatment.”

The bishop said that he was disappointed and added: “The tribunal accepted that I did not ‘interrogate’ Mr Reaney and that I had acted in accordance with the teachings of the Church of England.

“It also recognised that the post of diocesan youth officer falls within the small number of posts outside of the clergy which are within the religious exemptions of the Sexual Discrimination Act.

“I still think that the decision I made was the right one.”

Mr Reaney is likely to secure substantial compensation after the tribunal judgment. A date for a remedy hearing has yet to be arranged.