Salesman called ‘fat ginger pikey’ sues for racial discrimination

A SALESMAN who claimed he was bullied and called a “fat ginger pikey” by bosses is suing a tech company for race and disability discrimination, even though he is not of traveller heritage.

David Evans, 34, from south-west London, alleges he was called a “salad dodger” by senior managers during his time at the US software firm Xactly, compared to Gimli – a dwarf from Lord of the Rings – called a “jellied eel salesman” and referred to as “wonky eye”.

The tribunal, at Central London Employment Tribunal Centre, heard that Mr Evans claimed Kevin Henderson, its former regional sales manager, called him a “salad dodger”, then a “fat ginger pikey”. He said Tom Castley, a former vice-president, described him as a “second-hand car salesman” while Patrick Morton, a current director, used the term “fat Yoda”.

Both Mr Morton and Mr Henderson were alleged to have called him “Gimli” on a number of occasions. Mr Castley is alleged to have put on a “Cockney accent” and said to Mr Evans “alright barrow boy”. He also allegedly called him a “jellied eel salesman” and “wonky eye” two months later.

Mr Evans is claiming race and disability discrimination due to his diabetes and an under-active thyroid. Central London Tribunal heard that he was sacked by Xactly in December last year, but the sales rep claimed he was one of its top performing sales staff.

In a written statement, Mr Castley said it was just “banter”, adding: “I have worked in many sales environments and [it] was a relaxed atmosphere with office banter and social activities. I never considered Dave overweight or ginger, I would call him ‘solid’. No one in the office considered Dave a Romany gipsy. The comment was made as a compliment to mean that someone is very strong like a rugby player.”

He denied calling Mr Evans a “barrow boy” and a “jellied eel salesman” while using a mock Cockney accent.

The tribunal continues.