Steward withdraws Dennis racism claim

Eurosport - Wed, 14 Jan 13:54:00 2009

A former air steward apologised to Ron Dennis at an employment tribunal after withdrawing accusations of racism and homophobia against the McLaren boss.

FORMULA 1 Ron Dennis - 0

Dennis was accused by Peter Boland, who worked on his private jet between 2002 and 2007, of saying he needed to wash his hands "because I've been shaking hands with Arabs all day".

Boland, 27, sued Dennis, McLaren and two other companies linked to him for £100,000 over unfair dismissal and victimization.

Boland said that Dennis had also circulated rumours he was homosexual, which he denied.

"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," Boland said in a statement.

Dennis stated: "This case has been hurtful, irritating and unnecessary, in the sense that no impropriety ever took place, which fact Mr Boland now concedes.

"Equally, Mr Boland accepts that I have never said or done anything either racist or homophobic."

Briton Lewis Hamilton, Formula One's first black driver, won the World Championship with Mercedes-powered McLaren last year.

Dennis and his Saudi business partner Mansour Ojjeh each own 15 per cent of McLaren, while Bahrain's Mumtalakat holding company have a 30 per cent stake.

Reuters

Comment 44 - 63 of 63

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. Well, on balance, I think I'll go back to writing­ for fun !!

    From m.e.jenner, on Thu 15 Jan 11:14AM

  2. the original writings were definately creative, as in­ thinking in a way few other (rational) people had­ thought before. It's the constant repetition that­ annoys. Maybe use them as case material for a study of­ paranoia in writing.

    From the real adrian, on Thu 15 Jan 9:48AM

  3. Fantasy, yes maybe, Adrian - but creative??????

    From m.e.jenner, on Thu 15 Jan 9:33AM

  4. m.e.jenner: can't you use some of Bernard &­ Marnios' "writings" as inspiration for­ fantasy creative writing?

    From owen gayer, on Thu 15 Jan 8:51AM

  5. That sure is some problem Ginge - I think I'd­ better go and sleep on that one - after I've read a­ few chapters of Martin Brundle's book that is. I­ should have some answers for you in the morning !!

    From m.e.jenner, on Thu 15 Jan 12:01AM

  6. m.e.jenner: Because we are not in that­ "special" group of fans (Ferrari and Lewis­ alike), we cannot bend the rules of the universe. That­ is the problem I envisage.

    From ginger_gitt, on Wed 14 Jan 11:58PM

  7. Hmmm- a cunning plan I take it?

    From m.e.jenner, on Wed 14 Jan 11:45PM

  8. m.e.jenner: That's just greedy. I'm sure­ between us we could have figured out a way to email a­ naan. If we do, think of how much money we cold make­ on the international delivery service, because it would­ be just as easy to send a pizza. With the money we can­ buy Honda. I see a plan forming, a plan with only one­ flaw.

    From ginger_gitt, on Wed 14 Jan 10:40PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    A FERRARI WIN IN 2009 WILL BE JUSTICE FOR ALL TRUE F1­ FANS...
    NO GLOK NO HAMILTON TITLE SIMPLE AS!!!
    BESIDES­ MCLAREN AND HAMILTON SIMPLY CHEAT TOO MUCH.

    From ginger_gitt, on Wed 14 Jan 9:45PM

  10. Ginge - all gone - yum yum sorry.

    From m.e.jenner, on Wed 14 Jan 9:20PM

  11. Mike 55 - Chuckle !!!

    Chitty - Don't Go ! It­ won't be long before we can get stuck into­ commenting on races -don't let the saddos win !

    From m.e.jenner, on Wed 14 Jan 9:19PM

  12. 'Furious Lewis Hamilton was sensationally stripped­ of his thrilling Belgian Grand Prix victory last night.­

    'Hamilton received a 25-second penalty for­ cutting a corner in an amazing duel with world champion­ Kimi Raikkonen.

    'The British driver's McLaren­ team are trying to appeal the decision to rob Hamilton­ of a stunning victory after the FIA found him guilty of­ taking a short cut.

    'Hamilton claimed it was­ "absolutely wrong" to hand him a­ retrospective 25-second penalty which demonted him to­ third place and gave the win to Felipe Massa

    From Hell Y, on Wed 14 Jan 9:01PM

  13. Bernard will you stop using the term never as the way­ you use this word implies you can see into the future.­ for eg lewis has got the world champion driver 2009 and­ has achieved this at a far younger age than Schumy­ first acheived this. This implies that Lewis is a far­ more capable driver than Shumy so will smash Shumy­ records into the toilet where they belong.

    From r.l.milligan, on Wed 14 Jan 7:52PM

  14. Chitty: It'll be a shame to lose a recognised name,­ hopefully at some point things will imprve enough to­ convince you to return.

    m.e.jenner: Can you save me a­ bit of Chilli Naan?

    From ginger_gitt, on Wed 14 Jan 6:44PM

  15. Ginger
    I'm going to have to give up on this site. I­ don't think I can cope with the level of banter­ from these guys. It just goes straight over my head.
    I­ loved the little poem that Voodoo dug up. A cracker,­ isn't it?

    From Count Louis Zborowski, on Wed 14 Jan 6:18PM

  16. You couldn't email me a take away 'english'­ when you get back could you, please!!!

    From Mike, on Wed 14 Jan 6:18PM

  17. Mike, I'm a pupil (just about remember what that­ entails !)
    Dear Ginge, I'm sure you're ok­ really, you always make sense on here anyway.

    Just off­ to pick up a take-away curry - God Bless the Indians, I­ say !!

    From m.e.jenner, on Wed 14 Jan 6:14PM

  18. Blimey m.e.j. a psychologist would have a field day­ with some of the multiple personalities on here. Are­ you taking Writing for fun or teaching it ?

    From Mike, on Wed 14 Jan 6:00PM

  19. m.e.jenner: Writing for Fun? That can be dangerous,­ last time I did that was at school, it was strongly­ suggested I had a talk with the school­ psychiatrist/councellor about a few issues.

    Chitty: ­ Isn't Interbred a make of Italian supercar? ­ Judging by some fans on here, it could be an apt name.

    From ginger_gitt, on Wed 14 Jan 6:00PM

  20. Yes, Chitty, I could get all serious and write about­ dual personalities - plenty of scope here!!

    From m.e.jenner, on Wed 14 Jan 5:56PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account