The owner of a hair salon accused of discriminating against a Moslem stylist because she wore a headscarf said yesterday she only gave her an interview out of pity.
Sarah Desrosiers is accused of religious discrimination after deciding not to give a job to Bushra Noah, a Moslem.
Ms Desrosiers, who runs the Wedge salon in King’s Cross, central London, defended her action at a tribunal in the capital.
Ms Desrosiers, 32, told the tribunal that Ms Noah had originally called her about the job and she told the 19-year-old she was unsuitable for the position because she lived too far away, a sentiment she said she expressed again at the interview.
She said that during the phone call Ms Noah “was extremely persistent”.
Ms Desrosiers said: “She begged me for an interview. I felt sorry for her and in the end I agreed to her request.”
She told the tribunal that she had been upset by Ms Noah’s subsequent allegation: “I am not a racist and do not discriminate against anyone on any grounds, least of all race, religion or belief. My salon in King’s Cross is the heart of a diverse area of religions, races and beliefs. I have no prejudice against Moslems or any other religion for that matter.”
The tribunal has heard that Ms Noah was interviewed for a position as assistant stylist on March 13 last year.
Ms Desrosiers said the pair spoke about Ms Noah’s hairdressing experience and qualifications before she asked her if she wore her headscarf every day.
When Ms Noah replied “yes” she told her she would have to think about this.
Canadian Ms Desrosiers told the hearing the “most common way” to promote her business was by exhibiting her talents in the salon.
She said her salon was unique in the area and perceived as “alternative”.
She said: “I myself sport alternative hairstyles which change on a regular basis which I consider to be an example and inspiration for my customers.”
She added: “If an employee in my salon wore any type of head covering I would ask them to remove it.
“Similarly, if they wore a conventional hairstyle I would insist that they allow myself or another stylist in the salon to make it more flamboyant.”
In evidence yesterday Ms Noah said she was so devastated at being turned down for the job she decided to give up hairdressing.
She said: “I was so depressed after the interview I decided to try a different career. Having dreamt of being a hairdresser since an early age it was devastating.”
Under cross-examination Ms Noah agreed that Ms Desrosiers did not make any derogatory comments about her headscarf or religion.
She said Ms Desrosiers had made her feel uncomfortable in the way she had treated her. The tribunal has heard previously from Ms Noah that wearing a headscarf was essential to her religion, but did not mean she could not assist in an alternative way of hairdressing.
The hearing continues.