The head of Lewis Hamilton’s Formula One team today described allegations that he was racist as “lies that have damaged my reputation”.
“It’s an absolute lie. It’s the most ridiculous thing,” Ron Dennis said, explaining that he washed his hands a lot for health reasons.
“One thing I’m really concerned about is my health. I travel extensively and I know how inconvenient it can be to be ill.”
Mr Boland, 27, from Stowmarket in Suffolk, is alleging discrimination and victimisation due to sexual orientation after his sacking in May 2007. He has accused three companies controlled by Mr Dennis — McLaren Group Limited, Absolute Taste and Greyscape — of the offences.
“I am here to defend my reputation, which has been badly damaged. I am massively frustrated that things can be said and not challenged until they have been put into print,” Mr Dennis said.
He accepted that he did not follow procedures when dismissing Mr Peter Boland but added that this was done to be kind and reach an amicable settlement.
Mr Dennis said that the steward’s demands for £100,000 in pay was ridiculous and that he had been shocked when Mr Boland had made allegations that his perceived sexual orientation was the reason he had been dismissed.
The Formula One boss said that he knew nothing about Mr Boland’s sexually, that any issues of sexuality were “irrelevant” and had nothing to do with the sacking.
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Accuser Withdraws Racist Claim Against McLaren Boss
McLaren Boss Ron Dennis Sacked Employee On Grounds Of Sexual Orientation
UPDATE: January 14, 2009 05:45 am
Peter Boland apologised for “unfounded” allegations of homophobia and racism levelled against the McLaren chairman at an employment tribunal.
The 27-year-old, who once saw Mr Dennis as a “mentor”, was devastated when he was dismissed from his £32,000 position in 2007 and claimed that it was because of the “commonly held belief” about his sexuality.
Mr Boland sued for discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and victimisation, seeking £100,000 damages.
But as his personal cross-examination of his former boss entered its second day, he dropped the allegations and apologised to the tribunal for “wasting their time”.
It emerged that one witness who had been lined up to give evidence fro Mr Dennis was his new air steward, Jamie Siggs, who is openly homosexual.
“I have decided to withdraw my action against Mr. Dennis and all respondents in the case,” he said.
“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,” he added.
Dennis welcomed the move. “Clearly, I and all at McLaren, and all the other respondents, have been totally vindicated by the complete and unequivocal withdrawal and unreserved apology by Peter Boland,” he said.
“This case has been hurtful, irritating and unnecessary, in the sense that no impropriety ever took place, which fact Mr Boland now concedes,” he added.
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