A black British academic who claimed “witch hunt” is a racist term faces paying up to £170,000 to his former employers, The Telegraph can disclose.
Dr Mike Leary-Owhin, 66, was sacked from London South Bank University (LSBU) after being accused of bullying his line manager and “playing the race card”.
Dr Leary-Owhin, a senior lecturer in spatial planning, claimed he was unfairly dismissed and suffered racial discrimination. He alleged that Dr Duncan Tyler, his line manager and former friend, used racist terms against him during the disciplinary process.
The academic said he was accused of being a “witch hunter” who displayed aggressive and bullying behaviour, the tribunal was told. Dr Tyler said Dr Leary-Owhin had been “more concerned with witch hunting than changing his attitude” in staff meetings.
