Tribunals should have broad backs

Bennett v Southwark LBC (CA TLR 28 February)

The applicant, who was black, has been dismissed from her employment as a care worker with the council and brought a claim of unfair dismissal. At the hearing before the employment tribunal she was represented by Mr Errol Harry, a regular lay representative in employment tribunals. Seeking an adjournment of the hearing he remarked to the tribunal: ‘If I were an Oxford-educated white barrister with a plummy voice I would not be put in this position’. After consideration the tribunal declined to continue the hearing and discharged themselves from further participation in the case.