Mediation service accused of acting ‘like East Germany’
Senior conciliator at Acas is put under investigation for racism after sharing articles about equality
‘A cabal of extremists are either influencing Acas leaders or are going along with this ideology’
A MEDIATOR at the official body for workplace conduct has accused his employer of acting “like East Germany” after he was put under investigation for racism for sharing articles about equality.
Sean Corby, a senior conciliator at Acas, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, has been under investigation since August after colleagues complained that messages he posted on an equality and diversity forum with more than 100 members were “discriminatory” and “racist”.
One post quoted writer Ayishat Akanbi’s video The Problem with Wokeness, while in another Mr Corby shared an article on the impact of antiracist activism on interracial couples, of which him and his wife are one.
He wrote he had “experienced abuse and bigotry from both ‘sides’” but that “worryingly divisive” current ideologies ignore this. Another linked to an article by Inaya Folarin Iman, a free speech campaigner and GB News host, which argued that “currently fashionable conceptions of marginalised identities” are incompatible with “the fearless exchange of ideas”.
The complaint, from four colleagues unknown to Mr Corby, alleged that he “demonstrates a deep-rooted hatred towards black and minority ethnic people who challenge racism, organise in black structures and safe spaces and mobilise against racism”.
They accused him of “trying to force his view on us” and went on: “Having read all Sean’s posts, I would not feel safe to be in contact with him in person. I don’t know where Sean works, in terms of office, but I fear for any black and minority ethnic people working there if there are any.”
Mr Corby, from Huddersfield, said there was “nothing that anybody could remotely construe as being racist” in his posts, drawn from his experience in an interracial family with his wife, Tracy, and socialising in black communities.
“A cabal of extremists are either influencing Acas leadership, or they are themselves going along with this ideology; it is bullying and harassment based on me sharing absolutely valid opinions in an appropriate way,” he said.
Following an investigation, the complaint was not upheld in late October after Acas ruled there was “no substantial evidence” that Mr Corby posed a risk to ethnic minority staff. But last week, he was informed that an appeal had been lodged. Mr Corby, who helps to resolve pay disputes, claims he has been “left in limbo” for six months in a workplace culture “like East Germany if you don’t toe the line”.
Toby Young, general secretary of the Free Speech Union, said the case was “shocking”, while Mr Corby is now formally complaining to Acas, which received almost £57million in taxpayer funds last year, over how it has conducted the racism probe.
An Acas spokesman said: “Creating fair and inclusive workplaces is at the heart of everything we do and we do not recognise the picture presented by Mr Corby.
“Our regular staff surveys continue to show that Acas is an inclusive place to work and our training services receive positive feedback from our customers.
“We cannot give a running commentary on individual disciplinary and grievance cases that we deal with as we have to respect the confidentiality of all the staff members involved.”