A POSTMAN was unfairly sacked from his job in Redditch, discriminated against and victimised, a tribunal has ruled, writes Julian Seva.

Gordon Holt won his case against Consignia, formerly the Post Office, after he was fired in October 1999.

The tribunal heard how Mr Holt, who is white, was due to give evidence at another hearing in support of black postman Trevor Gayle, who had claimed racial discrimination at Redditch delivery office.

But Mr Holt was dismissed by delivery office manager Edwin Mariott and operations manager Paul Clyne before he could 'tell the truth' at that tribunal.

Mr Holt was sacked for allegedly failing to deliver mail on time.

But the tribunal found this was 'not the principal or true reason for the dismissal'.

The tribunal stated the dismissal was 'driven by the knowledge that he was not to resist and might actively support Trevor Gayle's racial discrimination application'.

Consignia denied unfair dismissal and any acts of discrimination on racial grounds or victimisation under the Race Relations Act.

In a statement after the ruling, Worcestershire Racial Equality Council's Andrew Lee said: "This case and those associated with it are an indictment of the effectiveness of the Post Office's so-called equal opportunities policy and their handling of complaints of racial discrimination."

Mr Lee called on the company to 'put its house in order'.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Royal Mail is disappointed in this decision. However we fully accept the ruling of the tribunal.

"There is no place for harassment or victimisation in Royal Mail - a position enforced by our equal opportunities policy.

"We are still in discussion with Mr Holt's legal representatives over a settlement following the decision and as there are two further grievance cases being dealt with at Redditch, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

The spokesman said Mr Holt's dismissal was withdrawn before the tribunal and he was offered his job back, which he declined.