A Christian NHS worker who was suspended for praying for a Muslim colleague has been granted permission to appeal the employment tribunal ruling against her.

Victoria Wasteney, 38, from Epping had worked as an occupational therapist at the East London NHS Foundation Trust for over eight years but was accused of “harassing and bullying” her colleague for giving her a book about a Muslim woman’s encounter with Christianity.

An internal disciplinary panel in February 2014 found her guilty of three charges of misconduct related to praying for her, giving her the book and inviting her to church events.

Miss Wasteney was suspended on full pay for nine months.

In April, the employment tribunal ruled that the trust acted reasonably in its handling of the case.

However, Judge Eady QC recognised the significance of Victoria Wasteney's case in raising points of law of public importance yesterday (October 5).

She questioned whether the original ruling had properly applied the European Convention on Human Rights' protection of freedom of religion and expression.

An appeal hearing is now expected next year.

Miss Wasteney said she was 'relieved and pleased' that her case will now be reconsidered.

She said: “I conducted all my conversations with my colleague in a sensitive and appropriate way.

“I knew she was from a different faith background and I was respectful of that. I didn’t force my beliefs on anyone at any point.

"I believe that the complaint has been handled in the way that it has because I am a Christian.

"There is already an unnatural caginess around faith and belief which is an obstruction to building meaningful relationships in the workplace and this case challenges that."