St Andrews University has denied racial discrimination against a black former lecturer.
Counter-terrorism expert Akali Omeni claims he was “tone policed” by white colleagues in the institution’s prestigious School of International Relations.
Two members made official complaints, with one describing his tone as “aggressive and insulting”.
The school’s director of teaching, Mathilde von Bulow, said his correspondence was in breach of the university’s respect and dignity at work policy.
Omeni’s message to her came as Dr von Bulow asked staff to confirm their teaching intentions for the year ahead, in line with her role.
He was already embroiled in a dispute with senior colleagues amid claims they failed to acknowledge work he carried out during a period of leave.
And he took exception to being asked about future teaching before his grievance was resolved.
Despite that, the university says he refused several offers to meet to discuss the situation.
Omeni has taken St Andrews University to an employment tribunal claiming racial discrimination and constructive dismissal.
Claim ‘tone-policing’ is racial abuse in the same way as throwing banana peels
He was a lecturer in the School of International Relations.
However, he resigned in June 2024 after what he alleges are a catalogue of problems.
One of his key complaints hinges on being told by Dr von Bulow and another colleague they did not appreciate his tone in an email of February 2024.
Omeni says for black people, “tone policing” goes back to the days of slavery and constitutes racial abuse.
According to the university’s lawyer Mandy Armstrong, both women said they would have made the same comments to a white person.
But he replied: “Of course, they would say that.”
She also pointed out that he in turn had asked the women to reflect on their tone towards him.
However, Omeni compared that to someone throwing a banana peel at him in the street.
“If someone does that to me, it’s racial abuse,” he said.
“But if I throw peels back at them, it’s not racial abuse because the context is different.
“You have never experienced what it means to live in my skin.”
Turned down offers to discuss issues
Omeni has also accused the university of failing to reduce his workload in line with white colleagues and of failing to offer line manager support.
He said the issue affected his mental health.
However, the tribunal has heard changes in the department meant everyone had a similar workload.
And under Ms Armstrong’s questioning, he conceded he was not being singled out.
He also conceded his managers had offered to meet him several times.
However, he claimed he did not believe he would receive a fair hearing as his line manager was married to the head of school.
Claims school head Phillips O’Brien described Omeni’s teaching as average are also denied.
Ms Armstrong said: “He will say he said your teaching load was average.”
Omeni responded, however: “If I was white Phillips O’Brien would not write the same middling report about my teaching.”
The tribunal hearing continues on Thursday.