A former BBC props manager has launched a landmark employment tribunal case against a production company, alleging he suffered systematic race discrimination while working on television shows including Doctor Who.
The 'Exterminate' Allegations
Michael 'Manny' Etok, who worked for BBC Studios via subcontractor BBC Props Limited, claims colleagues repeatedly subjected him to racist harassment by using Dalek catchphrases against him. According to tribunal documents, coworkers would say "exterminate" in Dalek voices while looking at him, creating a hostile work environment.
Pattern of Discrimination
The 58-year-old props manager, who is of Nigerian descent, alleges the discrimination extended beyond sci-fi references. He claims managers frequently made derogatory comments about his African background and systematically excluded him from opportunities afforded to white colleagues.
"The treatment I experienced was both humiliating and professionally damaging," Etok stated in his tribunal submission. "Being targeted with Dalek catchphrases and other race-based comments created an environment where I felt constantly undermined and devalued."
Broader Workplace Issues
The case highlights ongoing concerns about diversity and inclusion within the British television industry. Etok's claims suggest that despite public commitments to equality, discriminatory practices persist behind the scenes at major production companies.
Employment law experts note that such cases often reveal deeper cultural problems within organisations. "When employees feel empowered to use racist language or references, it typically indicates systemic failures in training and accountability," explained employment lawyer Sarah Jennings.
Legal Proceedings
The tribunal will examine whether BBC Props Limited failed in its duty to protect Etok from racial harassment and discrimination. The case could set important precedents for how cultural references and workplace 'banter' are treated in discrimination law.
Both BBC Studios and BBC Props Limited have declined to comment on ongoing legal proceedings, though sources indicate they intend to vigorously defend against the allegations.
The employment tribunal continues, with a ruling expected later this year that could have significant implications for the UK television industry's diversity practices.
