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Ron Dennis Accused of Racism by Former Employee

McLaren boss Ron Dennis was accused of discriminatory and racist behavior by a former employee. Peter Boland, who has worked for the McLaren boss for 5 years (at Absolute Taste and Greyscape), has sued Dennis for unfair dismissal, victimization and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in an employment tribunal in Southampton.

Boland insisted that the main reason why he was fired from his £32,000-a-year job with the aforementioned company was related to rumors that he was homosexual. Not only that, but he also claimed he was demanded to be on call at all time and play the caterer role for Dennis' passengers of his private Challenger 604 jet.

He also revealed that the Formula 1 manager rejects being around Arab people, as he once felt the need to wash his hands after shaking hands with Arabs all day.

“Ron said that he wanted to go to the bathroom to wash his hands because he had been shaking hands with Arabs all day,” Boland was quoted as saying by British newspaper The Daily Mail.

The Hong Kong-born employee – fired from Absolute Taste on May 8, 2007 – was allegedly laid off due to several mistakes during working hours, including 'fallen asleep in work and addressing Sheik Mohammed (Ron Dennis' business partner) incorrectly'. However, Dennis' firm offered to pay Boland an £8,000 tax-free package, but that only made things worst, as he was then convinced the reason for him being sacked was that everyone believed he was gay. It was then that he decided to go to court and refused the agreement.

“Having to explain that I was not gay was extremely embarrassing for all concerned,” insisted Boland. He then argued that Dennis' behavior towards him had changed ever since rumors about his alleged sexual orientation came out within the company.

McLaren Group Limited, Absolute Taste and Greyscape – all three companies managed by Dennis – are named defendant in this case. The F1 boss denied all allegations.
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