Executive wins £280,000 over ‘gipsy’ taunts

A high- flying executive taunted with anti-gipsy jibes during board meetings has won £280,000 at an employment tribunal.

Edward Bell, 52, of Manchester, right, was told he looked like a ‘ tinker’ and asked where he had left his ‘ horse and cart’ – before being wrongfully fired for ‘whistle-blowing’.

Belfast-born father-of-one Mr Bell, who has Romany heritage, said line manager Sid Barnes had made life miserable from the first time they met – remarking on his ‘strong and thick’ irish accent.

The abuse escalated after he raised concerns about the £21million takeover of rival firm Staffgroup ltd by his employers Cordant, one of the UK’s largest recruitment firms. The tribunal in Manchester upheld his claims of harassment related to race and unfair dismissal due to making ‘protected disclosures’. Divorcee Mr Bell had earned £90,000 a year.