Colleagues have come to the defence of a tourist attraction boss accused of homophobia, racism and sex discrimination.

Openly-gay Alan Whitehead, 52, claims he was harassed and victimised by Brighton Pier manager Charles Quelch because of his sexuality.

Mr Whitehead was arcade and sideshow manager at the pier but claimed he was excluded from meetings and shunned and ignored by Mr Quelch, who was appointed to run the attraction in January 2004.

He said he was forced to leave his job due to a culture of homophobia and racism among pier managers. The final straw was when he learned he had been called a "chutney ferret" behind his back, an employment tribunal heard.

Mr Whitehead, formerly of Marine Parade, Brighton, and now living in Chipping Norton, is claiming constructive and unfair dismissal, sexual orientation discrimination and harassment.

Fellow pier staff called to give evidence to the tribunal yesterday said Mr Quelch was not homophobic.

Jason Mannix, the pier's recruitment and training manager, told how he was appointed by Mr Quelch.

He said: "I would be surprised if he had not realised I was gay from my first interview.

"Not a single aspect of Charles Quelch's behaviour gave me the slightest impression he might be homophobic.

"If I believed there was any discrimination I would not be sitting here today. I take that sort of thing very seriously."

He said he had never heard the term "chutney ferret" as a description for gay people.

Other colleagues said Mr Whitehead did not like Mr Quelch because he had been given an easy ride under the previous manager, Bob O'Connor.

Nicholas Hallford, the pier's deputy general manager, said: "Alan seemed to strongly dislike Charles. I was taken aback by the strength of his feelings."

He added: "I thought that he was starting to lose the plot."

Former retail manager Elliot Moore said: "Charles was not a manager who was going to accept low standards.

"Alan was not happy Bob O'Connor had left. He decided he was going to leave and was determined to cause some trouble before he left."

Rides manager Peter Nixon said: "I was aware Alan was a law unto himself when Bob O'Connor was in charge - quite often missing bank holidays and not seeming to work the long hours many other managers worked.

"The general view was only Alan could get away with it."

He said Mr Whitehead did not like Mr Quelch's management style or ideas for change because it involved hard work.

Mr Nixon denied a claim he was overheard engaging in racist and homophobic banter with Mr Quelch. The hearing continues.