A STOWMARKET air steward who worked onboard a Formula 1 chief's private plane is taking action after claiming he was sacked because fellow staff thought he was gay.

Neil Puffett

A STOWMARKET air steward who worked onboard a Formula 1 chief's private plane is taking action after claiming he was sacked because fellow staff thought he was gay.

Peter Boland, 27, of Birch Road, Onehouse, is taking McLaren Mercedes boss Ron Dennis to an employment tribunal, claming he was treated differently after word went round the company he was gay.

At a preliminary hearing last month, an employment tribunal chairman heard Mr Boland will tell a full hearing he complained about his treatment and was then fired without notice.

Mr Boland's lawyer Andrew Allen said before the rumours spread he had got on well with his boss.

Mr Boland has launched a claim of unfair dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation against catering firm Absolute Taste Ltd, Greyscape, which runs the aircraft, and the McLaren Group Ltd, as well as Mr Dennis himself.

Jane Mulcahy, representing the companies, told the hearing that Mr Boland was sacked after he fell asleep on the plane while on duty and was also rude.

Mr Boland told The Evening Star he has been advised not to comment on the case.

The full hearing will take place before a panel in January next year, after the end of the current Formula 1 season.