£80,000 payout for driver who was told to retake his test because he was gay

A man who was told to retake his driving test because he is homosexual is to receive £80,000 compensation.

Danilo Giuffrida, 26, told doctors he was gay at his medical examination for military service in his native Italy.

They passed the information to the country's transport ministry, which told him he must repeat his driving test or have his licence withdrawn because of his 'sexual identity disturbance'.

Mr Giuffrida agreed to retake his test and passed it for a second time, but the ministry renewed his licence for one year rather than the usual ten because of his homosexuality.

A judge in Catania, on the southern island of Sicily, said the actions of the defence and transport ministries showed 'evident sexual discrimination' against Giuffrida and ran counter to his constitutional rights.

He ordered them to pay £80,000 damages when he issued his verdict on Saturday.