Spaniard wins payout over 'Manuel' taunts

A Spanish electrician who workmates nicknamed Manuel after the waiter in Fawlty Towers is set to receive thousands of pounds in compensation.

Juan Ignacio, who comes from Barcelona, sued his former employers at the private London Bridge Hospital claiming he was taunted with Andrew Sachs's character's "que?" and "I know nothing" catchphrases.

Mr Ignacio, 33, who has lived in Britain for five years, was seeking almost £30,000 for alleged racial discrimination, harassment and constructive dismissal in an employment tribunal case against hospital owner HCA International and two bosses - estates manager Chris Sweeney and chief engineer Richard Metcalfe.

However, on the first day of a hearing in Croydon, HCA agreed to pay him an undisclosed sum. No liability was admitted by HCA or the managers.

In papers submitted to the tribunal, Mr Ignacio said: "When we used to watch Fawlty Towers in Spain, we laughed at ourselves. But with these people it went became nasty. They made me feel like an idiot."

Mr Ignacio began working at the hospital in 2006 as a building services engineer, and claimed the insults continued until he resigned 18 months later. Polish handyman Marcin Lukomski, 30, will also receive an undisclosed payout after HCA settled his claim for alleged racial discrimination out of court. None of those involved made any comment.