Claims of racism from former McLaren employee
#1
01-06-2009, 04:44 PM
Claims of racism from former McLaren employee
Having already been labelled homophobic, McLaren boss Ron Dennis has now been accused of racism by a sacked employee.
It emerged last year that the employee, Peter Boland, was bringing legal action against Dennis and his companies because he said rumours he was gay led to him being unfairly dismissed.
The case has now returned to a Southampton employment tribunal, where 27-year-old Boland, who worked as Dennis' private jet steward, claims the Briton had been 'insensitive' to Arab business colleagues.
Hong Kong-born Boland said Dennis had offered the Arabs alcoholic drinks when he knew they would not accept them because of their religious beliefs.
And after another trip to the Middle East, Dennis "came onboard and was offered a drink," Boland, who is representing himself, said. "Ron said he did not want a drink. Ron said he wanted to go to the bathroom to wash his hands because he had been shaking hands with Arabs all day."
Boland claims he was sacked by Dennis in the wake of the false rumours about his sexual orientation, but McLaren say he was rude, made mistakes and fell asleep during some flights.
But as well as accusing Dennis of sexual discrimination and racism, Boland - who turned down a settlement offer of $11,000 - also said his boss once called him 'fat' before he was fired in May of last year.
McLaren, partly owned by the Saudi Arabia-born Mansour Ojjeh as well as the Kingdom of Bahrain, has declined to comment on the grounds that the case is ongoing.
E.A, Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International
It emerged last year that the employee, Peter Boland, was bringing legal action against Dennis and his companies because he said rumours he was gay led to him being unfairly dismissed.
The case has now returned to a Southampton employment tribunal, where 27-year-old Boland, who worked as Dennis' private jet steward, claims the Briton had been 'insensitive' to Arab business colleagues.
Hong Kong-born Boland said Dennis had offered the Arabs alcoholic drinks when he knew they would not accept them because of their religious beliefs.
And after another trip to the Middle East, Dennis "came onboard and was offered a drink," Boland, who is representing himself, said. "Ron said he did not want a drink. Ron said he wanted to go to the bathroom to wash his hands because he had been shaking hands with Arabs all day."
Boland claims he was sacked by Dennis in the wake of the false rumours about his sexual orientation, but McLaren say he was rude, made mistakes and fell asleep during some flights.
But as well as accusing Dennis of sexual discrimination and racism, Boland - who turned down a settlement offer of $11,000 - also said his boss once called him 'fat' before he was fired in May of last year.
McLaren, partly owned by the Saudi Arabia-born Mansour Ojjeh as well as the Kingdom of Bahrain, has declined to comment on the grounds that the case is ongoing.
E.A, Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International
#3
01-06-2009, 10:56 PM
Sounds like somebody needs to grow a pair and quite whining about stupid stuff. If McLaren didn't think he was doing a good job, they had every right to fire him. If he complained about shit like this when he was working there, I could see why Ron Dennis wouldn't want him around.
#6
01-12-2009, 11:55 PM
Dennis says racism slur 'ridiculous'
Ron Dennis says 'ridiculous' claims by a sacked former employee that he is racist and homophobic have damaged his reputation.
The 61-year-old on Monday travelled to an employment tribunal in Southampton, as his former private airline steward Peter Boland alleges he was improperly dismissed amid untrue rumours he is gay.
Last week, the 27-year-old told the tribunal that Dennis, Group CEO of the Woking based outfit partly owned by Saudi-born Mansour Ojjeh as well as the Kingdom of Bahrain, had been racially insensitive to Arab business colleagues on numerous occasions.
Dennis said he decided to appear personally at the tribunal to address "lies that have damaged my reputation."
"My primary purpose for being here are to ensure these untruths are rectified," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.
He called the allegation about him being racist an "absolute lie" and "ridiculous."
"I am here to defend my reputation which has been badly damaged. I am massively frustrated that things can be said and not challenged until they have been put into print," Dennis added.
Earlier on Monday, former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan said he has known Dennis well since the mid 1970s. "Ron is no racist; Ron is no homophobe; and Ron is a fantastic employer," the Irishman insisted.
Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International
The 61-year-old on Monday travelled to an employment tribunal in Southampton, as his former private airline steward Peter Boland alleges he was improperly dismissed amid untrue rumours he is gay.
Last week, the 27-year-old told the tribunal that Dennis, Group CEO of the Woking based outfit partly owned by Saudi-born Mansour Ojjeh as well as the Kingdom of Bahrain, had been racially insensitive to Arab business colleagues on numerous occasions.
Dennis said he decided to appear personally at the tribunal to address "lies that have damaged my reputation."
"My primary purpose for being here are to ensure these untruths are rectified," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.
He called the allegation about him being racist an "absolute lie" and "ridiculous."
"I am here to defend my reputation which has been badly damaged. I am massively frustrated that things can be said and not challenged until they have been put into print," Dennis added.
Earlier on Monday, former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan said he has known Dennis well since the mid 1970s. "Ron is no racist; Ron is no homophobe; and Ron is a fantastic employer," the Irishman insisted.
Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International
#7
01-13-2009, 12:00 AM
Well let's see:
1. I am fat;
2. I am Mormon and don't drink;
3. I often fall asleep at inoportune moments - like during client lunches;
4. I can be pretty rude - especially to Tifosi; and
5. I am heterosexual.
1 out of 5 is pretty pitiful. I guess I wouldn't last long at McLaren.
1. I am fat;
2. I am Mormon and don't drink;
3. I often fall asleep at inoportune moments - like during client lunches;
4. I can be pretty rude - especially to Tifosi; and
5. I am heterosexual.
1 out of 5 is pretty pitiful. I guess I wouldn't last long at McLaren.
#8
01-13-2009, 12:44 AM
Well let's see:
1. I am fat;
2. I am Mormon and don't drink;
3. I often fall asleep at inoportune moments - like during client lunches;
4. I can be pretty rude - especially to Tifosi; and
5. I am heterosexual.
1 out of 5 is pretty pitiful. I guess I wouldn't last long at McLaren.
1. I am fat;
2. I am Mormon and don't drink;
3. I often fall asleep at inoportune moments - like during client lunches;
4. I can be pretty rude - especially to Tifosi; and
5. I am heterosexual.
1 out of 5 is pretty pitiful. I guess I wouldn't last long at McLaren.
