Suicide man's family brings race case

Jermaine Lee claimed the harassment lasted five years

The family of a black postman who committed suicide after alleging bullying by colleagues has won the right to take his case to an employment tribunal.

Urnell Lee is making a posthumous claim of racial discrimination against the Post Office on behalf of her son, Jermaine, in what is believed to be the first case of its kind.

The 26-year-old was found hanged at the family home in Birmingham in November 1999.

He left a note to his mother accusing colleagues at the Aston Sorting Office of bullying tactics over a five year period.

In the note Mr Lee said, "I never wanted to go like this but it's the only way out.

"Those guys at work hate me. Tell them ... they have won."

Disciplinary action

At a preliminary hearing in Birmingham, the employment tribunal chairman, John Van Gelder, allowed Mrs Lee to lodge the action despite the application being made after the normal time limit for claims.

He said he taken into consideration the fact that some of the delay had been caused by Mrs Lee seeking medical treatment for shock and trauma after finding her son's body.

The family also had to wait for information from an internal Post Office inquiry.

It led to one manager being dismissed and another five suspended.

However, Andrew Hillier, for the Post Office, told the hearing the organisation would oppose the allegations.

After the hearing, Mr Lee's family said they were pleased with the tribunal's decision.

The family's solicitor, Navneet Patwalia, said they wanted justice for their son.

"Although this will not bring Jermaine back, the family very much hope this will change the culture and prevent future atrocities," she said.

The case was adjourned until April.