A firefighter who was sacked after offending a short, gay colleague by calling him half a man has been awarded more than £12,000 by an employment tribunal.
Philip Staines nicknamed fellow fireman Jonny Metcalfe Arthur in reference to his size, but Mr Metcalfe took it to be a derogatory reference to his sexuality.
An employment tribunal heard that when a colleague asked Mr Staines why he called him half a man , Mr Staines replied well, I can t call him Stumpy or Dwarf .
When concerned colleagues flagged his behaviour to bosses at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Mr Staines claimed it was just banter .
Phillip Staines insisted he referred to his colleague of 16 years as Arthur because of their height difference. Johnny Metcalfe took it to be a derogatory reference to his sexuality.