Political correctness strikes back: Jedi believer wins apology after being kicked out of Jobcentre for wearing a hood

When benefits claimant Chris Jarvis was asked to put down his hood in a Jobcentre, he said he was entitled to wear it because of his Jedi 'faith'.

When he continued to wear the cowl despite repeated warnings, he was escorted from the premises by security guards.

Yet in a case which sums up the march of political correctness in the public sector, he has now received a grovelling apology saying that the government agency 'embraces diversity and respects a customer's religion'. 'Jediism' was made up for the Star Wars films.

Jedi believer Chris Jarvis (left) and Sir Alec Guinness, playing the role of the Jedi knight, Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. Mr Jarvis refused to remove his hooded top at a Jobcentre because it was integral to his Jedi faith



The father of three now plans to sue Jobcentre Plus in Southend for discrimination, despite admitting he took up the 'faith' last year only as an excuse to wear hooded tops.

'I am a Star Wars follower. It means following the way of the Jedi,' he said yesterday. 'The main reason is I want to wear my hood up and I have got a religion which allows me to do that.

'Someone with their own religious views is allowed to wear what their religion says - the Sikhs are able to carry a great big dagger. My religion allows me to wear my hood.'

May the Jobcentre be with you: The Southend branch where Mr Jarvis defended his Star Wars religion

Mr Jarvis, who has been out of work for two years after fracturing both heels, had visited the Jobcentre to enquire about his disability benefits.

'I was told by security staff to remove my hood. I was told, not asked. I said, "It's my religion, I'm a Jedi Knight",' said Mr Jarvis, 31.

The ex-builder, who lives in Southend with his girlfriend, who is also unemployed, said a floor manager then asked him to remove the hood.

He eventually agreed but after he put it back up while using a computer to search for jobs he was escorted from the premises.

The Jobcentre writes back: The letter Chris Jarvis received from branch manager Wendy Flewers

Mr Jarvis later wrote to complain. In response, manager Wendy Flewers wrote: 'Jobcentre Plus is committed to provide a customer service which embraces diversity and respects a customer's religion or beliefs.

'I would like to apologise... I have spoken to the member of staff and it was not their intention to offend your beliefs.'

A spokesman for the Campaign Against Political Correctness said: 'This is the problem with the equality and diversity agenda. I'm sure when the legislation was being drawn up people didn't have in mind a Jedi who would sue because they couldn't wear their hood.'

In the 2001 census, 390,000 people listed their religion as Jedi, making it the fourth biggest 'belief' in the country.