Lecturer who called violinists 'gypos' awarded £180,000 after tribunal finds she was wrongly sacked

Musician criticises former employer over 'foolish' legal fight

A former Royal Academy of Music professor who was fired for referring to violinists as "gypos", has been awarded more than £180,000 in compensation after an employment tribunal ruled that she was wrongfully dismissed.

Francesca Carpos-Young had been teaching at the conservatoire for two months when she sent lecture notes containing the comment to hundreds of students. She was fired shortly afterwards.

However, last year she won her case at a tribunal on the grounds of wrongful dismissal, victimisation and failure to be accompanied at a hearing.

Now, she has been awarded £186,181 in compensation and for loss of earnings incurred over the 34 months since she was fired.

Speaking after Friday's ruling, Ms Carpos-Young called the Academy "foolish" and "incompetent".

The notes which caused the controversy were sent to 800 students and read: "Everyone knows that having a good reputation is important. But how do you get one? At the very least, you need to consider the following tips: 'Be discreet; what's on tour stays on tour. Become familiar with shared understanding of anecdote, caricature, stereotype and jokes.'

"Google them and look on YouTube, if this is not your culture. For example, you may hear terms like this: Pond life = (string players). Gypos (short for gypsies) = violinists specifically'."

Ms Carpos-Young added that the orchestra might be referred to as "the boys" and that the brass section were known as "pub-goers".

The conservatoire dismissed her after students took offence at the comments.

But the musician said the notes were meant to reflect what they could expect in the "real world" and the tribunal judge appeared to agree, saying that her words had been taken out of context and were ironic in tone.

"I am pleased to have won so comprehensively," Ms Carpos-Young said after the ruling. "The Royal Academy of Music have not once apologised. What foolish people to have wasted so much money on such an ill-advised course. The discriminatory decision to dismiss me has wasted a huge amount of money and was an incompetent attempt to enforce an unlawful process.

"Shamefully, this difficult year in legal battle has been entirely unnecessary."

Some conservatoire students had described her comments as "shameful stereotyping" and an open letter calling for a student-led working group on diversity was signed by 58 people in the wake of the controversy.

"The knock-on effect of the weak decision-making by the senior management has been reputational harm to the Academy, and ironically this is what they were hoping to avoid," Ms Carpos-Young said. "It is a matter of great personal sadness that I have had to bring the Royal Academy of Music to court, simply to ensure that those within it are acting fairly, honestly and with due regard for the law.

"I hope this case will warn other employers off arbitrary dismissals."

The Independent has contacted The Royal Academy of Music for comment.

Additional reporting by agencies