Question: In the UK does accent count as a "legally protected characteristics"?

For example. If i have a thick Newcastle or Yorkshire accent, could an employer legally turn me down for a job for that reason?

> 
> 6. Race
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> The Act continues to protect people against discrimination on the
>  grounds of their race, which includes colour, nationality, ethnic or
>  national origin.
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I'm not sure if it would be classed as something to do with race etc..

Answer: 
Discrimination on place of birth is arguably a form of racial discrimination.

But it seems unlikely that you would succeed arguing that you were discriminated against based on your accent. The discrimination would likely have to be about the country you were born in, rather than the regional "culture" you have
Unless and until the Socialist Republic of Yorkshire secedes from the United Kingdom, the fact that you come from Yorkshire is not going to count as 'nationality' or 'national origin' (far less 'race'), so it is not a legally protected characteristic. Employers have as much right to turn you down because of your accent as they do because of the colour of your hair; that is, there is no legal reason why not, though it probably is not something they would want to admit publicly.