In the case of D P-G v Ministry of Defence DP-G, 55, has won a discrimination case against the Ministry of Defence after revealing the derogatory comments he endured throughout his 16-year career.
He said that he was under no illusion about what he might face when he became one of the first Rastafarian guardsmen to join up in 2005, but he was optimistic.
However, he said that soldiers would use the N-word in front of him and questioned the size of his genitals.
He was also asked ‘why are you allowed to wear your hair like that?’ and ‘aren’t you a pacifist? don’t you smoke drugs?’
Despite the ignorance that he faced, he said he enjoyed his job and rose through the ranks to lance sergeant.
However, a row broke out in July 2021 with a white guard who did not believe that he was a soldier. He described that as the straw that broke the camel’s back.
It was the way that argument was dealt with by the army that led him to eventually quit and take his case to an employment tribunal.
The hearing ruled earlier this year that he was racially discriminated against, harassed and victimised.
Following the tribunal, the Ministry of Defence said its position is ‘very clear’. ‘We do not tolerate abuse, bullying or discrimination of any kind,’ a spokesman said.
‘All allegations of unacceptable behaviour are taken extremely seriously and are thoroughly investigated. If proven, swift action will be taken.’
Emma Norton, from the Centre for Military Justice, who gave legal support to DP-G, said the army’s response fell woefully short, including during the litigation.
She said: ‘Not only did the chain of command fail to act on his concerns about racial bias, it then victimised and gas-lit him for having the temerity to complain about it.
‘It’s lost an excellent soldier in the process.’
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