Claimant v Secretary of State for Defence
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal heard evidence over five days and determined that the claimant had not established that he was subjected to direct race discrimination. The claim was not well-founded and dismissed.
The tribunal heard evidence over five days and determined that the claimant had not established that he was subjected to direct sex discrimination. The claim was not well-founded and dismissed.
Facts
Mr Matthew Coverley brought claims of direct race discrimination and direct sex discrimination against his employer, the Ministry of Defence. The case was heard over five days at Cambridge Employment Tribunal before a full panel. Oral reasons were given at the hearing but written reasons were not requested within the specified timeframe.
Decision
The tribunal dismissed both claims, finding that the claimant had not established that he was subjected to direct race discrimination or direct sex discrimination. Both claims were found to be not well-founded.
Practical note
Public sector employers can successfully defend discrimination claims where the claimant fails to establish the factual basis for direct discrimination on grounds of race or sex.
Case details
- Case number
- 3309432/2023
- Decision date
- 2 May 2025
- Hearing type
- full merits
- Hearing days
- 5
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- military
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister