Exclusive | Protest planned at Oxford college after Black staffer who lost leg alleges racist bullying
Campaigners are set to gather outside Linacre College following claims that a long-serving employee was subjected to abuse and unsafe working conditions
Campaigners are set to gather outside a University of Oxford college following allegations of racial harassment made by a Black staff member who later had his leg amputated, Black Current News can reveal.
A former kitchen worker known as “Joe” is taking Linacre College to an employment tribunal, alleging that he was subjected to racist abuse and targeted workplace bullying by a manager who tried to force him out of his job.
Joe further claims he was forced to continue wearing ill-fitting work shoes before later undergoing a life-changing leg amputation.
The worker says these problems began after a new manager joined the college in 2023; before that, he had worked there for 23 years without issue.
“It’s not easy being Black and male in the system. After nearly a quarter of a century of service, Linacre College has treated me like dirt,” Joe said.
“Their ongoing refusal to acknowledge the harm and pain they have caused myself and my family, and the way they are protecting this manager, is as devastating as the original treatment itself.
“They think that because we are Black they can abuse us and hide the issues under the carpet.
“But they should understand that their decisions have consequences, and we will not remain silent.”
According to campaign material circulated ahead of the protest, the manager allegedly referred to Joe as “that Black bastard” and mocked his Caribbean accent during meetings with senior staff.
Joe further alleges he was threatened with disciplinary action after challenging the behaviour and raising concerns internally.
The case has sparked anger among anti-racism campaigners and community organisers, some of whom argue the allegations reflect wider concerns about race and institutional culture within Oxford University environments.
Veteran anti-racist campaigner Professor Gus John described the case as a “horrific tragedy”.
“Racism kills,” he said.
“No employer, especially a public sector institution of higher learning, should be able to trample on workers’ rights and deny them the protection of the law simply because they are Black and poor.”
Joe claims the situation worsened after kitchen staff were provided with steel-toe-capped shoes for work.
He alleges the pair he was given was too small and caused bruising to his foot, but says repeated requests for a larger size were ignored.
According to campaigners, colleagues also raised concerns after noticing he had developed a limp.
Weeks later, Joe was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with gangrene. His leg was ultimately amputated up to the thigh.
Campaigners say he now permanently uses a wheelchair.
Joe has also alleged that while he was recovering in hospital, a senior member of staff visited him unannounced, pulled back the bedsheets covering his leg and said: “I want to see if it is true that your leg has been amputated.”
A hearing has been scheduled for June in an attempt to resolve the dispute.
If no agreement is reached, the case is expected to proceed to a final employment tribunal hearing listed for 10 days in December 2026, Black Current News understands.
The case has also drawn criticism from former Oxford students and anti-racism campaigners.
Jabu Nala-Hartley, former councillor and chair of Mothers 4 Justice Ubuntu, said: “Joe’s case lays bare the cruel reality of racism at work.
“It shattered me to see a man who served Oxford University for 26 years now confined to a wheelchair because of its negligence. The University’s indifference is chilling.”
Dr Brian Kwoba, Associate History Professor at the University of Memphis and former Oxford doctoral student, said allegations of anti-Black racism at Oxford were not new.
“We built campaigns like the Campaign for Racial Awareness and Equality, #ITooAmOxford, and Rhodes Must Fall, because we experienced racial oppression all around us,” he said.
Andre Jahnoi Dallas, a hip hop artist and community organiser who studied at Oxford, described the institution’s racial dynamics as “deep, relentless, and unjust”.
“This latest tragic incident does not stand apart from that history, but emerges directly from it,” he added.
Linacre College has denied the allegations and said it disputes the claims publicly made.
In a statement previously issued to local media, Principal Dr Nick Brown said the college takes allegations relating to discrimination and staff welfare “extremely seriously”.
He added: “Linacre College is committed to maintaining an inclusive and respectful working environment for all staff and does not tolerate racism, discrimination, harassment or intimidation in any form.”
The college said it would not comment further while legal proceedings remain ongoing.
Black Current News has contacted Linacre College for further comment regarding the planned protest and allegations surrounding the case.
The demonstration is expected to take place outside Linacre College, St Cross Road, Oxford, on Monday 1 June at 5.30 pm.
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