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'Pastafarian' accuses DVLA of discrimination for rejecting photo of him with a colander on his head
Eccentric Ian Harris, 51, is a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster whose followers are known as Pastafarians
A musician has accused the DVLA of discrimination after his driving licence photo was rejected because of the "religious" head-gear he was wearing - a colander.
Ian Harris, 51, is a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster - a "religion" also known as Pastafarianism, that regards colanders as sacred head-wear.
Mr Harris, from Hove, East Sussex, says he was "insulted" by the DVLA (Solent)
Mr Harris has lodged a third appeal against the DVLA after it refused to accept the picture of him wearing the kitchen-utensil in his driving licence photo.
His so-called faith, which is widely considered as legitimate, is a light-hearted view of religion which opposes the teaching of creationism and intelligent design.
It believes Fridays are national holidays, pirates were the original "pastafarians" and that beer should be celebrated
The religion argues that belief in a flying spaghetti monster is just as valid as any other - although critics claim it is just a parody religion.
However in April 2013 a court ruling was overturned in Poland, allowing the church to apply to be registered as an official religion.
Mr Harris, from Hove, East Sussex, says he was "insulted" by the DVLA after their response to his driving licence application implied it would damage their credibility.
He said: "Who are they to decide which religions are true or valid. Our religion is a minority but the DVLA is discriminating because it allows people who practice major religions to wear head gear in pictures.
"The letters implied the picture would damage the DVLA's credibility because the religion has a comic element to it which I found insulting.
"Other church members have been very supportive of my complaint and have said the head gear is allowed in photos in other countries."
A letter from the DVLA said: "Unfortunately the decision remains the same and you will be required to make a new application for a driving licence with an appropriate photograph.
"You will appreciate that we must work within a framework set by law and the decisions we make have to be in line with the relevant legislation, therefore, we may not always be able to meet your expectations."
Mr Harris, who plays the banjo for successful busking band The Iron Boot Scrapers, based in Brighton, East Sussex, has no intention of submitting a new picture.
He said: "I will continue to fight the good fight for our savoury Lord. I have checked and their guidelines do not say I cannot wear my colander."
A DVLA spokesman said guidelines on acceptable photographs were the same as those issued by Her Majesty's Passport Office.
The Iron Boot Scrapers have played for the British and Dubai royal families including the Queen, EastEnders, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Harry Enfield, Cilla Black, Richard E Grant and Richard Branson.