Emmerdale in new race row after security guard fired for going on ‘Qur’an rant’ and ‘insulting Chinese tourists’
EMMERDALE has been hit by a new racism row after a security guard was fired.
It followed claims that he had insulted a group of Chinese tourists and ranted about the Qur’an.
Ex-soldier Duane Gardner, 49, is fuming after he was sacked following a disciplinary panel hearing.
Two colleagues filed a grievance alleging that they had heard the Afghanistan veteran making “offensive and racist” comments in the security office.
Duane, who worked on the ITV soap for two years says he feels “victimised”.
Bosses could not fully prove the claims but a report cited an onset car crash as a reason for his sacking.
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It comes months after a race probe involving stars Matthew Wolfenden (TV’s David Metcalfe) and Isabel Hodgins (Victoria Sugden).
They were temporarily absent from filming after an alleged inappropriate comment was made to a female mixed-race cast member.
ITV chiefs accepted the alleged remarks were “misheard”. No formal action was taken.
Duane, of Harrogate, North Yorks, was brought before the panel by security firm Minimal Risk Consultancy who contracted him to the soap.
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He said: “I find it astonishing I was fired when that saga with the actors was brushed under the carpet.
"I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong.
MRC said it did not recognise his version of events. ITV declined to comment.