Andrew Thorburn prepares to sue Essendon after being sacked due to religious links

Former Essendon chief executive Andrew Thorburn has engaged lawyers and may be eligible for a cash settlement over his controversial exit from the club.

Andrew Thorburn.

Essendon’s former chief executive Andrew Thorburn has hired lawyers to demand an apology from the club over his spectacular departure after just 24 hours in the job.

The Herald Sun can reveal he is reserving his right to sue the club over his sudden exit.

It’s understood that Mr Thorburn, 57, was mainly motivated by his desire for the club to say sorry for the way he was treated.

However, it’s believed his legal team has been in contact with the club and a cash payment may be on the table.

Mr Thorburn sparked a national debate when he quit the Bombers after he was forced to choose between his role as chairman at a church with controversial views and the Essendon top job.

He was due to be paid more than $850,000 a year as the chief executive of Essendon but walked away.

Andrew Thorburn at Essendon Football Club.

Mr Thorburn was involved in the club’s review, and was also present to interview candidates for the chief executive role that he ended up getting himself.

Essendon president David Barham was a strong supporter of Mr Thorburn, who had previously been chief executive at NAB.

But Mr Barham, a former television executive, had given Mr Thorburn an ultimatum following a backlash about positions the church held.

Mr Thorburn stuck with the City on a Hill Church, which had published sermons on its website comparing abortion with the Holocaust and claiming homosexuality was a sin.

Premier Daniel Andrews, a Bombers supporter, labelled the views “appalling”, which heaped pressure on the club after the Herald Sun broke the story about the church’s views.

The church’s pastor removed the reference to the Holocaust following the backlash.

Mr Thorburn said after he was forced to leave the Bombers that he was worried that it would set a precedent for other people who held religious views.

“Many messages expressed genuine worry for jobs and employment prospects due simply to faith,” he said at the time.

“I believe that there are many Australians who fear the implications for their livelihoods, aspirations and participation in community life.

“It is troubling that faith or association with a church, mosque, synagogue or

temple could render a person immediately unsuited to holding a particular

role. That is a dangerous idea, one that will only reduce tolerance for others

and diversity of thought and participation in our community and workplaces.”

City on a Hill pastor Guy Mason had “prayed” with Mr Thorburn on the day he quit.

At a church service on the weekend after the controversy last month, Mr Mason told his followers that Mr Andrews’ criticism was a “career highlight”.

“That one is going straight to the poolroom,” Mr Mason said.

“The words of the Premier ignited a media firestorm.”

A spokesman for Mr Thorburn declined to comment.

An Essendon source confirmed Mr Thorburn was paid for the work he had done before he quit.