Hastings v Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust [2017]

The claimant worked as an IT analyst with the respondent NHS Trust. He was of Black and Afro-Caribbean origin. The case centred around an incident when the claimant was driving into a hospital car park. It was alleged that a van driver swore at the claimant “using the c-word,” and called him “f***ing stupid”. The van driver, however, argued that it was the claimant who had sworn and assaulted him. It was also alleged that numerous references were made regarding the claimant’s race and skin colour.

The claimant called the hospital’s security office for help, but no assistance arrived. He was suspended although allegations that there was a racial element to the incident were not properly