F1-Live.com

Ron Dennis vindicated

Tue, 13 Jan 15:43:10 2009

As previously reported, Ron Dennis travelled to an employment tribunal yesterday to give evidence in the case brought by former McLaren employee Peter Boland. The former air steward had claimed unfair dismissal and labelled Dennis both a racist and homophobe.

Today Boland, who was employed by the firm between 2002 and 2007, read the following statement.

"I have decided to withdraw my action against Mr Dennis and all respondents in the case."

"I unreservedly apologise to Mr Dennis and all respondents, and to the Southampton Employment Tribunal, for wasting their time with what I now realise were unfounded allegations."

"In particular, I apologise to Mr Dennis for suggesting that he is, or was, either racist or homophobic, or that he ever made any remarks or performed any actions that would suggest that he was."

"I feel great remorse for the upset that I now realise I have needlessly caused to him, to his family and to his colleagues."

"Lastly, I will return the car, which was the subject of county court proceedings."

"I consider this matter now closed and will not be taking further action, or making further comments, in connection with it in the future."

 

Comment 1 - 8 of 8

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  1. James (post #3)... I agree with you, completely... This­ kind of blanket apology is ''too good to be­ true'' and usually means that it's been­ settled out of the public eye...

    From sagittarius1958, on Wed 14 Jan 3:07AM
  2. Looks like he got the sack over a year ago, nicked Rons­ car and called him a racist homophobe. Why would you­ sack a bloke like that ?.

    From chtech06, on Tue 13 Jan 5:09PM
  3. "Mr Dennis told the hearing he sacked Mr Boland­ after five years in the job because he was­ 'incompetent' and his attitude and punctuality­ were unsatisfactory.
    The tribunal heard the steward had­ 'nodded off' onboard the Challenger 604 plane­ in April 2007 and been rude to guest Sheikh Mohammed, a­ member of the Bahrain royal family.
    Rather than going­ through a formal disciplinary process Mr Dennis said he­ offered Mr Boland an £8,000 settlement and a positive­ reference so his CV would be unblemished."

    So­ what does he do? Makes up a pack of lies to get his­ moment in the media.

    Ron tried to be as good as­ possible for this man but was stabbed in the back.

    From Grey Scale, on Tue 13 Jan 5:06PM
  4. What's the significance of the Car? presumably­ some company car he was trying to hang on to.

    From Mike, on Tue 13 Jan 4:59PM
  5. I think Ferrari and the FIA foisted this bloke onto­ McClaren.Max and Bernie were behind it .IMHO.

    From chtech06, on Tue 13 Jan 4:26PM
  6. I think a lot of money was put in front of Mr Bolands­ face. I doubt McLaren/Dennis want problems just before­ the launch of their car, and the start of the new­ season.

    From James, on Tue 13 Jan 4:12PM
  7. Do you get the feeling he wished he'd never started­ this farce???

    From m.e.jenner, on Tue 13 Jan 4:12PM
  8. What a full and sincere apology. Ron's reputation­ stays unblemished. Same word from Ferrari and FIA are­ overdue.

    From chtech06, on Tue 13 Jan 3:47PM
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