PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - A policeman who accused his force of sexual discrimination claiming he was banned from wearing an earring because he is gay has settled his case.PC Neil Bloomfield told a Southampton Employment Tribunal that his gold ear stud was a statement of his sexuality and claimed he was unfairly targeted while other heterosexual officers avoided reprisal.
The Hampshire Constabulary's dress code policy only allows women to wear small earrings on duty but not men; the rules were introduced in 2004 in a drive to improve officers’ dress standards. Bloomfield alleges that he was singled out while other men flouted the rules but were not punished.
He told the tribunal:
“I believe because I made a complaint about the dress code, or because it is known that I wear my earring as an indicator of my sexual orientation, I have been singled out by the strict enforcement of the dress code against me.
“It is quite clear that it is not generally well enforced and that a large number of breaches of that policy are allowed to continue without comment.”
Bloomfield told the tribunal that he was insulted and bullied by colleagues and threatened with suspension after he complained against the rules. He accused Detective Sergeant Andy Lupton of singling him out and referring to him as a “crusader“ and a “faggot”.
The force denied discriminating against Bloomfield because he was gay but admitted comments made by Lupton, who has since been disciplined, were unacceptable.
On the second day of the tribunal it was announced that both parties had reached an agreement; the details of which would remain confidential.
from Work Place Law
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