An animal rights campaigner and hunt saboteur sacked for his views and activities has won a discrimination case against his former employers.

Gardener Joe Hashman, 43, was sacked by hunt supporters Ron and Sheila Clark owners of Orchard Park Garden Centre, Gillingham, Dorset two days after covert film taken by Hashman helped convict hunt supporter and TV cook Clarissa Dickson Wright of attending an illegal hare-coursing event. The tribunal judge ruled that he had been illegally discriminated against for his “philosophical beliefs and activities” which were legally akin to religious beliefs.

Hashman has received an apology and a financial settlement from Orchard Perk’s managing director Richard Cunningham and his board of directors, who made the stupid decision to discriminate.