An employment tribunal has determined the Salvation Army acted lawfully when it sacked a long-serving worker who declared refugees should be sent back “on a f****** boat.”
Charles Markie, 56, was dismissed from his position at Strathmore Lodge, a Dundee hostel operated by the Christian charity that provides accommodation for migrants. The ruling found the organisation was justified in terminating Mr Markie’s employment following remarks he made while working at the facility.
Mr Markie had been employed by the Salvation Army for almost two decades before his dismissal. His subsequent claims of unfair dismissal, direct sex discrimination and harassment were all rejected by Employment Judge James Hendry at a hearing held in Dundee last September.
The incident occurred in March 2024 when Mr Markie became agitated after learning about changes to council housing policy. He told colleagues “There wouldn’t be a housing shortage if we weren’t taking in 150 refugees,” before adding: “Send them all back on a f****** boat.”
When a colleague challenged him by asking whether his comments applied to a Syrian refugee who used the hostel, Mr Markie replied: “Yes, the lot of them.” His job involved assisting homeless and vulnerable individuals in accessing the facility’s services, a group that included refugees.
A colleague reported the comments to his line manager, Tracey Young, hoping Mr Markie would be reprimanded for what she considered racist statements. Following a warning from Ms Young about his conduct, Mr Markie complained staff members “couldn’t even joke or take part in banter”.
During disciplinary proceedings led by service manager Karen Good, Mr Markie maintained his remarks were his personal opinion and not aimed at anyone specifically. He told the hearing he did not mean to hurt anyone, addingthat he “isn’t racist and has foreign friends.” He acknowledged he could “get carried away” and admitted making “stupid comments” without intending harm.
Ms Good concluded the comments constituted gross misconduct. In his ruling published on December 31, Judge Hendry stated: “The evidence showed that the claimant’s colleagues were shocked at the comment made, betraying, as they saw it, a complete insensitivity towards those that they were duty bound to help.”