Chef loses racial discrimination case against JD Wetherspoon

A black chef at a JD Wetherspoon pub in Swindon who claimed he was nicknamed "our little slave" has lost his employment tribunal case.

Gregorio Mercedes Luciano, 26, who was born in the Dominican Republic, alleged he was described in racist terms by fellow workers at The Savoy in Regent Street, according to news network This Is Wiltshire](http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/).

He also said he was underpaid, forced to work while white staff rested and was given insufficient protection under health and safety rules.

After he told bosses at the firm that he had been racially abused, Lisa Corbin, a fellow worker, claimed he had kissed her on a drunken night out and pursued her at work.

He claimed victimisation on the grounds that the potential claim of sexual harassment, which was never formally brought, was intended to get him to drop his race discrimination claim.

However, his claim was rejected by the three-man tribunal in Bristol at the weekend.

The tribunal's chairman Clive Toomer said management at the pub had followed the correct grievance procedures.

Wetherspoon is currently locked in legal proceedings against a former property agent for breach on contract.

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By Chris Druce

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