Overview

Recent media reports about a bank customer ridiculed for having ginger hair has stirred the debate about the extent of discrimination laws in the UK. The issue arose when a female bank customer received a quip from a worker at the branch who said, "I bet your daughter is glad she isn't ginger like you". The bank was forced to apologise to the customer and paid her a small sum of compensation.

The story follows previous media interest in the subject of "gingerism", such as when Harriet Harman caused a storm at the Labour Party's Scottish conference in 2010 after she referred to a Liberal Democrat Minister as a "ginger rodent".

Shoosmiths discusses the issue with regard to the UK's equality laws; and asks whether in 21st century Britain, "gingerist" comments should be as unacceptable as discrimination against a person's sex, race, age or disability.

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