Police force rejects application of former UK Ministry of Defense policeman because of Crusader tattoo

A former policemen at the Ministry of Defence in the United Kingdom was not allowed to join the regular police force because of a Crusader knight tattoo on his arm. He intends to file a lawsuit against the Sussex police force for religious discrimination.

"I consider myself English and Christian, and as such portraying a knight from England's past should not be a problem," said the former MoD policeman who wishes to remain unidentified, as quoted on Mail Online.

According to the report, the 33-year-old man left his job as a counter-terrorism officer at the Ministry of Defence in 2012 because his eyesight was declining, thus he could no longer carry a gun. He applied for the position of unarmed constable at the Sussex Police in April. Although he had an unblemished record in his past job, he was turned down by the Sussex Police because his tattoo was reportedly considered as "violent and intimidating." He appealed but this, too, was rejected.

The force is reported to have been following the Home Office guidelines, and Adrian Rutherford, the Sussex Police head of human resources, said that the decision is consistent with others before it.

Also, the section on tattoos on the Sussex FAQ transferee recruitment document says, "Anything that could be viewed as having content aggressive or offensive would likely to be rejected – this might include: weapons, religious content, gang affiliation, drugs, aggressive animals, skulls etc."

The man's tattoo on his left arm, which he acquired in 2013, shows a medieval knight in full armor, holding a sword and shield. The knight's front and shield show the cross of St. George.

"I have heard of many reasons to reject someone from the police force but this must be one of the most unusual," said Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee.

Recently, fans at the Euro 2016 football games were reportedly discouraged from displaying or dressing up like the Crusaders -- the people who took part in the church-sanctioned military campaigns against non-Christians in the 11th century -- because they might upset Muslims.