England: ‘Anti-woke’ barrister loses employment tribunal claim

Jon Holbrook, formerly of Cornerstone Chambers, made the comment in relation to a news story about a young woman who took her school to court for racial discrimination over a uniform policy that banned afro hairstyles.

Mr Holbrook submitted to the tribunal that he was discriminated against on the basis of his “social conservative” beliefs and in particular his status as a “critic of identity politics” who “believes in the importance of nation, community and family”.

He alleged that he was expelled by his chambers “to satiate the appetites of those who wanted revenge for [his] expression of non-woke beliefs”.

However, the tribunal ruled, after a preliminary hearing, that Mr Holbrook’s claim was brought out of time and it was not just and equitable to extend time for it.