A former Crown Group employee has had his claim for discrimination and breach of contract against the contract caterer dismissed.

James Sharkey, a law student, was a bar supervisor for Crown Venue Catering at Birmingham City Football Club from December 2005 until he resigned in February 2006.

Sharkey, who is gay, had claimed the company paid him less than the verbally agreed rate of £7.50 per hour and discriminated against him on the grounds of sexual orientation.

However, an employment tribunal dismissed the case last month and concluded Crown Group’s time had been wasted by Sharkey, who had not followed statutory procedure in making his claim.

Sharkey was also ordered to pay Crown’s £500 costs.

Debbie Fox, group human resources director of Crown Group, said: “Crown Venue Catering is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to a policy of treating all our employees and job applications equally.”

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By Chris Druce

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