A receptionist who was allegedly called a “black slave” and hit by a senior official at the Qatari embassy in Mayfair in a campaign of racial bullying says he is seeking £100,000 in damages because he fears he may never work again.
The Standard reported in June how Mohamoud Ahmed, 74, had lodged a claim for unfair dismissal and race and age discrimination against the Gulf state’s embassy, where he had been employed for almost 20 years.
Somali-born Mr Ahmed, who has lived in the UK for more than 40 years and is a British citizen, claims he was referred to in Arabic as a “donkey” and a “dog” by Abdullah Al-Ansari, the head of the embassy’s medical department. All his claims are denied by the Qatari embassy and Mr Al–Ansari.
A judge at a central London employment tribunal stayed the case until the Court of Appeal rules on a test case over whether embassies can claim diplomatic immunity against such actions. The case involves Fatima Benkharbouche, a cook at the Sudanese embassy, and Minah Janah, a nanny at the Libyan embassy. It is due to be heard on November 25.
Mr Ahmed, who claims he was assaulted on two occasions by Mr Al-Ansari, told the Standard he has had eight months of physiotherapy and may need surgery on his left shoulder, but is still looking for work.
He said: “It has been over a year now since I was unfairly dismissed from the job in which I had worked at for almost 20 years. I have no doubt that this was due to the colour of my skin, race and age … I have been left jobless, and as a formerly working pensioner, I am struggling to find work.”
The father-of-nine said he hopes the Court of Appeal ruling will go in his favour so his case can be heard at tribunal. He added: “The Qatari embassy must be made accountable for the acts of their diplomat who has acted in such a grotesque manner.”
Mr Ahmed’s lawyer, Matthew Hodson, of Levenes Employment solicitors, said: “The issue before the Court of Appeal is the right to a fair trial. This is fundamental to the rule of law, should be absolute and in no circumstances should it be limited.
“Surely, it cannot therefore be correct that those working in foreign embassies are not afforded this right.”
A Qatari embassy spokesman said: “Mr Ahmed’s allegations are utterly untrue. He was at no time ill-treated, abused or discriminated against by anyone at or representing the embassy. It is certainly not true that Mr Ahmed was discriminated against because of his colour.”
He added: “Mr Ahmed’s wish to receive £100,000 in compensation has not been communicated either to the embassy or, as far as I am aware, to the tribunal. It is contradicted by previous communications that have been made by Mr Ahmed and by his solicitors.
“Mr Ahmed was not dismissed. He resigned and thus brought his present status on himself.”
http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2014/Nov/6 ... mages.aspx
