A BLACK lawyer who was hired as the first director of equality, diversity, and inclusion for the City of London Corporation has taken legal action against her formal employees, claiming racial discrimination after being fired just 10 months into her role.
Saida Bello, 44, made these allegations during a tribunal hearing on Wednesday (1), where she argued that the City of London Corporation harbours deep-seated institutional racism.
She also claimed that nearly 200 other employees of colour have also filed complaints of racial discrimination.
“This is the first time this spreadsheet from 186 black and minoritised staff has been exposed,” she told the hearing.
“These 186 people on the spreadsheet have tried to have a voice but clearly that hasn’t worked.”
According to Bello, she has filed a case alleging direct racial discrimination, race-related harassment, victimisation, and retaliation for whistleblowing.
The City of London Corporation is responsible for managing London’s financial district and overseeing extensive green spaces, markets, housing, schools, the Port Health Authority, the Barbican Centre, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Bello revealed that during herself tenure, she discovered a case in which a casual worker at the Barbican had reported a racial discrimination issue that went unanswered for seven months.
In response, Bello sent an email about the case on 11 January 2023, with hopes of addressing the complaint. Just 12 days later, she was informed that she would not pass her probationary period.
“If you are black and you get involved in a discrimination claim you can lose your job in 12 days. I’m just one of the victims,” she told the tribunal.
Bello disclosed that she was offered a £10,000 settlement, which she declined. She lost her job after initially filing her employment tribunal claim.
During the recent hearing, she attempted to amend her claim to include the circumstances of her dismissal, which occurred 10 months after her appointment in September 2022.
Susan Chan, representing the City of London Corporation, objected to Bello’s request to amend her claim, citing that some of the new complaints were not previously raised.
Judge Leverton, who presided over the hearing, stated that she would decide on Bello’s request to amend her claim at a later date. The next hearing for this case is scheduled for February of next year.
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