Violinist Sarah Streatfeild, one of four string players suspended by the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO), is taking a claim for discrimination on the grounds of belief to an employment tribunal, reports the Guardian.

Streatfeild, along with violinists Tom Eisner and Nancy Elan, and cellist Sue Sutherley, was suspended for six months last September after she signed a joint letter calling on the BBC Proms to cancel a concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

The letter to the Independent newspaper identified the musicians as members of the LPO. Explaining the suspensions at the time, the LPO's chief executive Timothy Walker and chairman Martin Hohmann said: 'The orchestra would never restrict the right of its players to express themselves freely, however such expression has to be independent of the LPO itself.'

Shazia Khan, of Streatfeild's solicitors, Bindmans, told the Guardian: 'Making a stand about the invitation to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was a question of conscience for my client. Mrs Streatfeild is devastated that her career and livelihood was stopped by the LPO and in such an abrupt and public manner immediately after she expressed her beliefs.'

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