A Christian counsellor has been summoned before a professional
conduct panel after trying to help an undercover homosexual journalist
who posed as a Christian wanting to change his sexual orientation.
Lesley Pilkington, 60, will face the panel on Thursday to defend
herself against a formal complaint made by Patrick Strudwick, a
freelance journalist who secretly recorded two therapy sessions with Mrs
Pilkington.
He approached Mrs Pilkington at a Christian conference where he told
her that he wanted help in leaving his homosexual lifestyle. He
contacted her after the conference and asked for an appointment.
Unaware that he was a journalist working undercover, Mrs Pilkington
agreed to help Mr Strudwick and she held two therapy sessions with him.
According to the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting Mrs
Pilkington’s legal defence, Mr Strudwick repeatedly told her during the
sessions that he wanted to leave his homosexual lifestyle.
However, following the sessions Mr Strudwick lodged a complaint with
the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, alleging that
Mrs Pilkington had tried to force her beliefs on him, thereby breaching
the principle of patient autonomy.
Mr Strudwick’s report based on the sessions was published in the
Independent and he was later awarded Journalist of the Year by gay
rights group Stonewall.
He has since become a campaigner against
therapies aimed at converting homosexuals and runs the campaign group,
Stop Conversion Therapy Taskforce.
The CLC believes Mrs Pilkington is the victim of the deliberate targeting of Christians by the homosexual lobby.
The BACP’s proceedings against her note her “praying to God to heal
him [Mr Strudwick] of his homosexuality” and an “agenda that
homosexuality is wrong”.
The CLC is angry that Mrs Pilkington appears to be facing investigation for her view that homosexuals can be changed.
“Rather than breaching his autonomy, Lesley provided exactly what was
asked of her,” said Andrea Minichiello Williams, Chief Executive of the
CLC.
“It is shocking that she was targeted, lied to and misrepresented by
this homosexual activist and even worse that her professional body
consider her actions worthy of investigation.
“It seems that what the British Association for Counselling and
Psychotherapy object to is Lesley Pilkington holding the professional
and personal view that sexual orientation is not fixed.
“Many people have come forward to say that they have stopped the
practice of homosexuality and many well respected professionals also
believe that ‘change is possible’, yet when this is the basis on which
Lesley offered therapy, she is hauled before her professional body.”
Mrs Pilkington is challenging the complaint on the grounds that
sexual orientation is a lifestyle choice and that therapists should be
allowed to offer their expertise to people seeking to change their
sexual orientation without fear of losing their job or professional
credentials.
Mrs Minichiello Williams added: “The equalities and
anti-discrimination agendas are undermining the freedom of individuals
to choose to change their lifestyles. These laws are leading to the
elimination of a fundamental human right.”
SIC: CT/UK