NHS nurse ordered to remove ‘antisemitic’ watermelon video call background launches legal action
A senior NHS nurse who says he was ordered to remove a background on his video calls that showed a fruit bowl containing a watermelon because it could be perceived as antisemitic has launched legal action against his employer.Ahmad Baker, who is British-Palestinian and works at Whipps Cross hospital, north London, is one of three medical staff claiming Barts Health NHS trust’s ban on staff displaying symbols perceived as politically or nationally affiliated is disproportionate and discriminatory.Watermelons became symbols of Palestine amid censorship of the Palestinian flag because of its similar colours.Barts, which runs five London hospitals, introduced the ban in March in its updated uniform and dress code policy, which extends to items on workstations, laptops and iPads, even if staff are working from home and not seeing patients.The policy says it is in keeping with the trust’s responsibility to be “completely apolitical and non-biased in our care”, but the claimants point to Barts’ support for Ukraine.
Baker said: “As a Palestinian, I should be able to express my identity and solidarity with my people, especially during a humanitarian crisis.Being told that a still-life painting containing a watermelon could be perceived as antisemitic and being threatened with disciplinary action is deeply upsetting.“I’ve worked for the NHS for over a decade – this is not the inclusivity I thought we stood for.”Baker, along with Dr Aarash Saleh, a respiratory consultant at Whipps Cross, and Dr Sara Ali, a haematology registrar who previously worked at the Royal London hospital, claim the policy amounts to indirect discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, disproportionately affecting staff who wish to express pro-Palestinian beliefs, particularly considering events in Gaza.They also say that it say it unlawfully discriminates against them because of their anti-Zionist views, which were found to be a protected belief under the Equality Act by an employment tribunal last year.
Baker has also raised separate claims of direct discrimination and harassment,Ali said: “To suggest that expressing support for the Palestinians who are facing one of the most catastrophic humanitarian crises in recent history is somehow threatening, after the trust had rightly expressed support for Ukraine, is not only manifestly discriminatory but is antithetical to the values of universal empathy and compassion that underpin our practice as healthcare workers,”A letter before action sent on behalf of the healthcare staff by Liana Wood from the law firm Leigh Day also argues that there was “inappropriate consultation” with a pro-Israel advocacy group, while sidelining internal staff voices,UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), having complained to the trust about pro-Palestinian symbols worn by staff, published an article on its website about the new policy eight days before it was officially implemented,Saleh said: “It’s especially troubling that UKLFI publicly announced the policy before the trust itself had communicated it to staff – this raises serious concerns about transparency and whose voices were prioritised in the process.
”Sign up to First EditionOur morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it mattersafter newsletter promotionThe medics, who are crowdfunding their legal costs on the CrowdJustice platform, are seeking the removal of key provisions of the policy, a declaration from the employment tribunal that discrimination has taken place, and compensation for injury to feelings they have suffered and continue to suffer as a result of the policy.Wood said: “Trusts must take care not to impose disproportionate restrictions on expression, especially where those restrictions appear to be targeted at a specific group or belief.”A spokesperson for Barts said: “We recognise the distress that global conflict has for our diverse workforce and continue to support their wellbeing as they serve our patients.However, as an NHS organisation our primary responsibility is care for patients.”They said the policy aimed to “uphold political neutrality, creating an inclusive culture at work, and a safe space for patients in their time of need”.
Ombudsman rules for red-hot Gosden team as Royal Ascot roasts in the sun
The only British stable to wrest Royal Ascot’s top trainer award away from Aidan O’Brien over the course of the past decade continued its strong run through this year’s meeting here on Wednesday, as John and Thady Gosden’s Ombudsman, in the Group One Prince of Wales’s Stakes, followed up the success of Crimson Advocate, in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, for a 59‑1 double on the day.The feature race, though, was not an easy watch for Ombudsman’s joint trainers or his backers at 7-1, at least until William Buick, his rider, finally managed to extract him and find running room with around a furlong to go, after being caught in a series of pockets. Buick was forced to switch twice in the straight, but when he did eventually take aim at the lead, Ombudsman’s response was immediate and overpowering.Ombudsman was around two lengths behind Anmaat, the Champion Stakes winner last season over the same course and distance, passing the furlong pole, alongside 100m later and then two lengths ahead and going further clear at the line.“The plan was to just relax off the pace, which was strong and set up for [O’Brien’s] Los Angeles,” John Gosden said, “but to that extent we knew we’d be comfortable where we were
Royal Ascot 2025 day two: Ombudsman rules in Prince of Wales’s Stakes – as it happened
Day two done and the sun is shining stronger than ever. It seems a long time ago now but Aidan O’Brien started the day with a very impressive winner in True Love. The O’Brien-trained favourite Los Angeles failed to fire in the big race, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and glory went to John Gosden and Ombudsman. Those hoping for a royal winner were again denied when, after yesterday’s debacle with Reaching High the favourite Rainbows Edge blew out in the 5.35pm race
Four leading British basketball clubs blocked from Europe as civil war deepens
The civil war engulfing British Basketball has intensified with the British Basketball Federation attempting to block four of the country’s leading clubs from competing in Europe next season.The Guardian has learned that the BBF is refusing to endorse applications for European places made by Manchester Basketball, London Lions, Newcastle Eagles and Bristol Flyers, which has put their participation at risk.In another development, it is being claimed that the BBF is threatening to thwart visa applications for overseas players for next season made by a number of Super League Basketball clubs.The BBF and clubs are at loggerheads after the governing body last month awarded a 15-year licence to operate a new Great Britain Basketball League from the 2026-27 season to an American consortium led by the former NBA executive Marshall Glickman. The nine existing SLB clubs are refusing to join, and have had their interim licence to run their own league next season suspended by the BBF
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‘It’s going to be pretty monumental’: Harry Potter eyes Wallabies spot for Lions series | Jack Snape
No, Harry Potter – the Australian rugby union winger – hasn’t read the books. And the 27-year-old is unlikely to get to them anytime soon, given his focus on securing a precious place in the Wallabies’ team for the coming tour of the British and Irish Lions.“It’s a massive, once-in-every-12-years event,” he says in the days before the first Wallabies squad of the year is named on Thursday. “It’s going to be pretty monumental.”The Western Force player has perhaps the best name in Australian sport
England opt for Ollie Pope at No 3 over Jacob Bethell for first India Test
Ollie Pope has retained his England place and will face India in the first Test starting on Friday, the 171 he scored against Zimbabwe last month having proved enough to hold off the emerging challenge of Jacob Bethell.Bethell’s success in Pope’s No 3 slot during the three-match series in New Zealand over the winter, when he scored a half-century in each Test and averaged 52, appeared to have made the position his to lose.However, the 21-year-old missed the first Test of the summer because of his Indian Premier League commitments, allowing Pope – who had dropped to No 6 in New Zealand while temporarily taking on wicketkeeping duties – to return to his favoured position and enjoy the benefits of incumbency.Before the Zimbabwe game, Ben Stokes hinted that Bethell would come straight back into the side once he was available, but the England captain later insisted his comments had been deliberately misinterpreted. “It is unfortunate that you say something and it can get twisted to suit an agenda,” he said
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