A BLACK schoolteacher sent numerous e-mails to a council worker accusing her of racism, an employment tribunal heard.

The hearing was told how the teacher, Dr Emmanuel Forson, of Secundus Drive, Colchester, sent the allegations to Penelope King, a senior human resources consultant for Essex County Council.

Mrs King was called to give evidence after Dr Forson, 46, claimed Harwich School’s governors racially discriminated against him, leading to an unfair dismissal.

The school claimed his performance was not satisfactory, that complaints were received from parents, he was victimising pupils and that he responded inappropriately when challenged by pupils, asking them if their behaviour was a result of his race.

The father-of-two began working at the Dovercourt secondary school as a maths teacher in 2004, but was suspended from his job in November 2007.

Mrs King told the hearing, in Bury St Edmunds: “I, the headteacher and other colleagues had received a number of lengthy communications from Dr Forson that contained allegations against us that were upsetting. I was tired of them.”

Mrs King had been advising Harwich School during Dr Forson’s disciplinary process.

When asked why the e-mails were upsetting, she said: “Upsetting because they accused me of not behaving professionally, possibly treating Dr Forson in some sort of racist way.

“All these things went at the heart of my professionalism.”

The first day of the three-day hearing heard how the e-mails were, at one stage, being copied to several of Mrs King’s bosses.

When Dr Forson, representing himself at the hearing, cross-examined Mrs King, he accused her of not checking he had been taken through the induction process when he began work at the Hall Lane school.

He also claimed copies of the school’s equality policy and grievance procedure were not given to him, though he said it was a legal requirement for that to be done.

He also claimed crucial shorthand notes from a meeting regarding his dismissal were shredded.

Mrs King said she would shred notes that were finished with, but denied there had been any misconduct, as they had been written up in longer form.

Dr Forson further accused Mrs King of not allowing him to state his case at a meeting.

A five-day hearing for the case was held last October, but resumed yesterday after it had overrun.

The case continues.