Belfast customs staff sacked over race-abuse claims

Seven Belfast-based UK Revenue and Customs staff have been sacked over racial abuse claims, it was revealed today.

It followed an internal investigation into allegations of racially motivated gross misconduct.

The seven were all based at the Belfast contact centre.

Dave Hartnett, permanent secretary for tax at HM Revenue and Customs, said the department operates a zero-tolerance policy on racial discrimination.

He added: “The vast majority of our people are entirely professional and one of the ways we support that professionalism is by taking decisive action against the tiny minority who let us all down by falling far short of those standards.”

It is understood the seven were dismissed yesterday.