Sacked housing boss ‘not a Nazi’
Gareth Mead, the council housing boss sacked after revelations about his private life, is neither a racist nor a Nazi, a close friend has claimed.
The source said Mr Mead, who was dismissed for gross misconduct after the Sunday Mirror published allegations that he dressed up as a Nazi and sent racist and anti-Semitic text messages, ‘was never and is not a Nazi’.
He added that the events reported by the Mirror occurred eight or nine years ago, and Mr Mead did not recall sending the messages.
‘It was purely a role-play thing just because of the very difficult emotional time he was going through,’ he said. ‘He was disturbed at the time by his behaviour, had therapy and moved on with his life.’
Mr Mead was assistant director for housing options at Hammersmith & Fulham council. He was suspended from his duties, which encompassed social housing and homelessness work, earlier this month and subsequently dismissed following a disciplinary hearing.
Inside Housing was not able to contact Mr Mead directly.
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Readers' comments (18)
Joe Halewood | 29/03/2010 9:23 am
Being a Nazi or not is not the point. If you send racist and anti-semitic (surely also racist) texts then whether you are a fetishist or a fascistic Nazi is not the point. Having a 'friend' come out and comment on the story is a non-story and a non-issue.
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Julian Thompson | 29/03/2010 9:50 am
There are 2 issues; (1) Racist (including anti Semitic) behaviour must have a zero tollerance policy. (2) It must not be an offience to be a member of any organisation - we can strat by banning the repulsive BNP; what next? The Communist Party, The Conservative Party!
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Darryl | 29/03/2010 9:54 am
There by the grace of God go you Joe. We all have a past!
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kass | 29/03/2010 10:15 am
It does not matter what he claims to be or not to be. It is what he has done that matters. It does not matter if he was nazi for fun, for excitement or just to relax or because he was stupid or whatever. What matters is what he has done. If he was sacked for acting as a racist or nazi, as has been said here and there, then the sacking is justified... The only defence he could have might be if he did it because he was mentally ill at the time. If he was going throuhg depression and asked his employer for counselling or help and was denied, then he might have a case.
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karen | 29/03/2010 10:16 am
Joe, I agree in part but I have to say that its a very rare person who has never ever heard or received a racist joke. How many Paddy and Murphy jokes are there? Surely they are racist. There is a song in Avenue Q about everyone being a little bit racist so real is it in current culture.
People use humour - appropriate or not - to cope with difficult times and experiences. Its not for everyone but it is part of the world we live in.
Personally I dont resend on any joke I think is potentially insulting but I cant stop people sending them to me.
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Bannside | 29/03/2010 10:42 am
I agree that this is a non-story - it is also last week's. Why is it published editor?
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Editor's comments
The story gives a fresh angle on the case, and provides new information. This is the closest we have yet got to getting Gareth Mead's side of the story, and I think it would be irresponsible not to run it.
the purple avenger | 29/03/2010 11:57 am
I agree that this is a non-story. Its an old journalistic trick of keeping a story alive when there isn't really much else to add. Clearly they are hoping to get an interview with Mr Mead and are currently unable to do so - this story is a weak attempt to keep the story alive in the meantime. As I have said elsewhere on this issue - if we want diversity we have to embrace it all - even stuff we dont approve of. I think he would have a case to claim unfair dismissal provided his views and activities did not effect the way he conducted himself at work. I accept however that it would be difficult for the council to keep him on.
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Pine | 29/03/2010 2:27 pm
I think perhaps he should have claimed he was at a bad taste fancy dress party; it seemed to work for Prince Harry.
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Melvin Bone | 29/03/2010 2:47 pm
He was given the boot because of: 'grossly offensive racist and anti-Semitic content highlighted in the media coverage.’ I think the 'Nazi' angle just makes good headlines.
I'm not sure you could be sacked just for proclaiming yourself to be a Nazi no dressing up as one, as was pointed out the same thing could apply for stating you are or dressing up as a Viking...
Putting 'Nazi' in a headline always grabs the attention though...
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Peter | 29/03/2010 4:03 pm
I wonder whether Mr Mead would pursue this matter the employment tribunal? There are certain elements of this case (what has been published so far) about the incident happening eight or nine years ago warrants the dismissal?
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