A COLLEGE principal has claimed he was dismissed from the post for being a white Christian.
Professor Malory Nye, 47, is reported to have claimed he was dismissed from his job at the Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Dundee because its hierarchy viewed his race and religion as a threat to its Muslim values.
His wife, Isabel Campbell-Nye, 42, was also said to have alleged she was forced out of her position as head of the college's English language centre.
The couple are taking the college to an employment tribunal claiming racial and religious discrimination, and unfair dismissal.
Mrs Campbell-Nye is also claiming sex discrimination on the grounds that she was allegedly suspended and later dismissed because she is married to Mr Nye.
Mr Nye had been working at the college for eight years while his wife had been there for four years before they were suspended in June and dismissed in November, it was claimed.
He was reported as saying: "It is clear to me that there is collusion between individuals that I should be removed from my position on the basis that I am not an Arab and not a Muslim and that the person who has the role of principal should be Arab and/or Muslim.
"Multiculturalism and respect for cultural and religious differences are, I had thought, core values of the college.
"However, I believe that such inclusive multiculturalism no longer fits the particular type of multicultural vision of certain managers and the chairman –that is accepting of different cultures, so long as the majority of students are Muslim and/or Arabs and the ethos is distinctly Islamic.
"My face and lack of Muslim faith no longer fit."
Mrs Campbell-Nye claims one reason she was removed may also have been because she had attracted too many non-Muslim, European and Asian students to study English at the college, it was reported.
The Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education is a private college and registered charity whose patron is Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai.
The college's website says that his "vision for multiculturalism is at the heart of Al-Maktoum College".
Courses can be taken in subjects such as Islamic studies, Islamic ethics, Islamic banking and finance.
It also offers research-led courses such as a PhD in multiculturalism. All postgraduate studies are validated by Aberdeen University.
A spokesman for the Al-Maktoum College said yesterday: "We can confirm that we have been notified that Employment Tribunal proceedings have been raised in the name of Professor Malory Nye and his wife, Isabel Campbell-Nye.
"The Al-Maktoum College will vigorously defend its reputation as a centre of excellence within the Higher Education sector and the good name it has won over the last 10 years here in Dundee, nationally and internationally.
"Professor Nye was dismissed from his post as principal at the College following a period of suspension on full pay and an inquiry conducted by the College Chancellor.
"Contingency plans were put in place to ensure the continued smooth running of the College.
"The College, an independent, not-for-profit charity, places diversity, religious pluralism and multiculturalism firmly at the core of its Higher Education programmes – and its day-to-day activities.
"We are in consultation with our team of legal advisers and, as a result, we are not in a position to discuss the matter further at this stage."
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