Council officer admits to making 'gay boy' jibes

Ed Tutty, giving evidence at an employment tribunal in Newcastle yesterday, said he had used the phrase in officer banter with one of the workers with whom "he was accustomed to joke".

But he rejected claims that he had used it frequently when referring to Fausto Gismondi - one of his employees while he worked as a manager in the marketing and sales department at the Gala Theatre, in Durham.

Mr Gismondi, 28, who is claiming he was constructively dismissed by Mr Tutty and Durham City Council, said he quit his job as a group bookings co-ordinator because Mr Tutty could not accept his sexuality.

He said Mr Tutty had refused to speak to him in a civil manner and constantly found fault in his work.

Mr Gismondi, of Houghton-le-Spring, claimed the final straw came when he was told by colleagues that Mr Tutty had dispensed with referring to him by name, simply using the term "gay boy".

Mr Tutty told yesterday's hearings he had concerns about Mr Gismondi failing to achieving his targets.

He said he did have an "assertive management style" but had not been unduly aggressive toward Mr Gismondi.

Mr Tutty said: "At no time did Mr Gismondi suffer a detriment as a result of his sexual orientation.

"My concern was only with him doing his job to the best of his ability.

"I am aware there is reported to be a high percentage of gay people in the theatre business and I have no issue with this whatsover."

At an earlier hearing, Gayle Jackson, who worked as a marketing assistant at the theatre at the time, said Mr Tutty used the term "gay boy" frequently, particularly when he was having a bad day. She said she took the remark to be malicious.

The hearing heard that Mr Tutty was disciplined by Durham City Council for using an "inappropriate remark" in breach in the authority's equal opportunities.

He told that hearing he would be happy to apologise to anyone who heard him or took offence.

The hearing was adjourned to February 8.