A TRAINEE chaplain left the Royal Navy after being told to turn a blind eye to pornography on board two warships, an employment tribunal heard.
The Rev Mark Sharpe, 37, who is married, was so horrified at the amount of pornography below decks that he quit his training months into the job. He is suing the Ministry of Defence, claiming that he has been the victim of sexual harassment and discrimination on the ground of his beliefs.
Mr Sharpe, from Tenbury, Worcestershire, was a policeman for more than ten years before becoming a priest. He worked as a curate in York before joining the Navy as a trainee chaplain two years ago.
His grievance has already been investigated internally up to the highest level, with an appeal to the Admiralty Board.
Mr Sharpe told the tribunal in Exeter, Devon, that after he asked to leave the ship he was advised not to raise the issue if he valued his career in the Navy. He claimed that the Rev Peter Scott, a senior navy chaplain, and a commodore told him not to pursue his concerns.
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The hearing continues.