Emmerdale in fresh race row as security staff fired for 'racist' rant
Emmerdale is plunged into new race row as security guard is fired after ‘insulting Chinese tourists and ranting about the Koran’
- Security guard Duane Gardner, 49, fired for alleged ‘offensive and racist’ rant
- Colleagues on Emmerdale set made grievance claims against Gardner
- The Afghanistan veteran, of Harrogate, Yorks, claims he has been ‘victimised’
Emmerdale has been rocked with fresh race row claims as a security guard who worked on staff was fired for alleged ‘offensive and racist’ remarks.
Former soldier Duane Gardner, 49, was fired following a disciplinary hearing in which it was claimed he had insulted a group of Chinese tourists and ranted about the Qu’ran.
Colleagues had made grievance claims alleging the veteran, who worked on the ITV soap for two years, made ‘offensive and racist’ comments in the security office.
Gardner says he feels ‘victimised’ as their claims were never fully proven, but a report cited an ‘onset car crash’ as the reason for his sacking, reports The Sun.
The fallout comes just months after long-standing Emmerdale stars Matthew Wolfenden and Isabel Hodgins were embroiled in a ‘heated on-set race row’.
The actors were both left out of scenes from the ITV soap in September, following claims that ‘the accent of a mixed-raced actress was mimicked’ on set.
The unnamed actress was upset following an inappropriate comment made towards her, before it was claimed her accent was mocked during the fall out.
Former soldier Duane Gardner, 49, was fired following a disciplinary hearing in which it was claimed he had insulted a group of Chinese tourists and ranted about the Qu’ran
Gardner (pictured) says he feels ‘victimised’ as his colleagues’ claims he made ‘offensive and racist’ remarks were never fully proven, but a report cited an ‘onset car crash’ as the reason for his sacking
Afghanistan veteran Duane, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, appeared before an ITV disciplinary panel, who fired him from his Minimal Risk Consultancy role – the security firm who provided contracted staff to Emmerdale.
Duane told the hearing: ‘I find it astonishing I was fired when that saga with the actors was brushed under the carpet.
‘I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong’, he added.
MRC reportedly told the Sun that they ‘did not recognise’ his version of events. ITV has been contacted to provide comment.
The developments come just six months after Emmerdale, which has been running since 1972, was at the centre of a separate race probe.
It was claimed that Matthew, 41, who plays David Metcalfe and Isabel, 27, who portrays Victoria Sugden, are the pair facing allegations.
A source revealed: ‘ITV have conducted a rigorous enquiry into the allegations made, with witness statements taken. Bosses accepted Matthew and Isabel’s explanation and agreed they can return to work.
Comeback: Matthew Wolfenden (pictured July 2021) and Isabel Hodgins will allegedly return to Emmerdale after a race row probe
The actors (pictured together, above) were both left out of scenes from the ITV soap in September, following claims that ‘the accent of a mixed-raced actress was mimicked’ on set
‘However, it has been made very clear that racism and bullying will not be tolerated by ITV. They have also offered the subject of their alleged remarks guidance about how to deal with the pair’s return.’
Both stars – who joined the soap in 2006 – categorically denied claims of racism and have suggested the whole thing was a misunderstanding.
An Emmerdale spokesman told MailOnline: ‘While we would never comment on individual cases, Emmerdale has robust policies in place to deal with any allegations brought to our attention and take the appropriate steps.’
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