Every month we bring you an employment law related story that somehow gets swept up in the imperfect storm that is tabloid journalism. This month’s story is so sensationalist it may even result in the Daily Mail being able to describe celebrities’ legs as something other than pins!
In a recent Sun headline, Angela Gibbins, Head of Global Estates at the British Council was alleged to have aimed a vile Facebook rant at Prince George, despite the fact she was paid THOUSANDS of taxpayer money to promote the UK!!!!!!<
The vile rant in question was posted on Facebook by another, unnamed individual who rather harshly said, “I know he’s only two years old, but Prince George already looks like a f****** d***head.”
Ms Gibbons then commented on this post with, “White privilege. That cheeky grin is the innate knowledge he’s royal, rich and will never know any difficulties or hardships in life”. Many people who read the article believed Ms Gibbins posted the original expletive laden attack and have criticised her. To which she replied, “I’m sound in my republican views. I don’t believe the royal family have any place in a modern democracy, least of all when they live on public money.”
The British Council has begun investigating the incident but before taking any disciplinary action it may be worth noting the case of Henderson v GMB, which suggest views such as this could be protected characteristics. Any dismissal because of this belief could therefore be discrimination.
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