A senior lecturer has lost a racism case against a top British university after claiming criticism of his email tone was discriminatory.
Dr Akali Omeni sued St Andrews University when a senior colleague told him: "I did not appreciate the tone of your emails."
He alleged that "tone policing" constituted a "racist micro-aggression" and was offensive "in a historical context towards black people".
Dr Omeni, an expert in counter-terrorism and terror studies, joined St Andrews' School of International Relations in September 2020.
Dr Akali Omeni sued St Andrews University when a senior colleague told him: 'I did not appreciate the tone of your emails'
UNESCO
The university is famously where the Prince of Wales met Catherine, Princess of Wales, in 2001 when they were both students.
As part of his £100,000 case, Dr Omeni claimed he was discriminated against and unfairly dismissed because bosses ignored his achievements.
The dispute began in February 2024 over his upcoming teaching duties.
Dr Mathilde Von Bulow, Director of Teaching, had emailed Dr Omeni about his teaching duties for the following academic year.
When asked to confirm he was "happy" with proposals, Dr Omeni replied that she was "vitiating the possibility that I am not" happy.
He also raised concerns about a "conflict of interest" because Dr Von Bulow is married to his line manager.
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Dr Omeni's case against St Andrews was thrown out
PA
Professor Fiona McCallum Guiney later told Dr Omeni: "I did not appreciate the tone of your emails."
Dr Omeni responded that he found the criticism of his tone "problematic" and claimed his tone was "neutral".
He complained that he was "expected to take a supplicatory, apologetic tone" despite maintaining "decorum".
At the tribunal, Dr Omeni cited a document called "Tone Policing: When White People Are Uncomfortable, Black People Are Silenced".
He claimed the criticism contributed to his feeling "isolated" and affected his mental health before he resigned in March 2024.
Employment Judge Jacqueline McCluskey dismissed all of Dr Omeni's claims, including constructive unfair dismissal and race discrimination.
Prince William met future wife Kate at St Andrews
PA
The tribunal ruled that the use of the word "tone" was not a racist micro-aggression.
"We were satisfied that no racial motivation conscious or unconscious could be inferred," said Judge McCluskey.
She determined that Dr Omeni's email responses were "objectively unprofessional" rather than "polite" or maintaining a "neutral, professional tone" as he had claimed.
The judge noted that Dr Von Bulow's initial emails had been "polite and professional" in contrast to Dr Omeni's responses.
Looking at the context of the communications, the tribunal found Dr Omeni was not communicating "politely or with decorum".
All of Dr Omeni's claims, including his £100,000 suit for constructive dismissal and discrimination, were rejected by the tribunal.
