Posted on the 4th December 2025 in PHTM News

BASINGSTOKE COUNCIL TO PAY OVER £270K FOR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TWO BLACK PH DRIVERS

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) has been ordered to pay more than £270,000 in combined compensation after an employment tribunal ruled that two black private hire drivers of African descent were subjected to racial discrimination by council officers.

The claimants, Miss O Akinleye and Mr A Olumade, pursued an employment tribunal against BDBC alleging sex discrimination, race discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.

In November 2024, the tribunal found that BDBC licensing officers discriminated against the drivers "based on simple racial prejudice." The tribunal detailed a "sustained failure by the BDBC at a senior level" and two officers to "deal with serious and well-founded allegations of race discrimination and race harassment by other taxi drivers, coupled with sustained racist treatment of both claimants by council officers."

The judgment stated:

  • The council "constantly dismissed" the claimants' complaints and "sought instead to undermine and penalise the two claimants."

  • Miss O Akinleye and her husband were "unfairly" investigated for "baseless allegations," causing her to feel "anxious and fearful for her family's welfare."

  • Mr Olumade "suffered severe stress when baseless allegations were made against him and when [BDBC] treated him differently when investigating allegations."

  • The tribunal accepted Miss Akinleye's evidence that she and her family suffered "emotional trauma and reputational harm as well as suffering financial hardship."

For emotional distress, both claimants were awarded £55,000, plus interest, as the tribunal determined the discrimination "falls in the top part of the top band."

The total amounts awarded were:

  • Miss O Akinleye: £122,929.52

  • Mr A Olumade: £155,529.52

These payments cover injury to feeling, loss of earnings, aggravated damages, and future loss of earnings.

A spokesperson for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council acknowledged the ruling, which concludes a matter that started in 2009.

They stated: "We fully considered the judgement and apologised to the drivers for the incidents, and our handling of them, that led to them feeling they needed to bring this action and the distress it caused them."

The council confirmed that it has fully complied with the ruling, adding: "We are determined to ensure that lessons are learned and appropriate changes are being made."


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