Disabled campaigner Willard Fox has leapt to the defence of Bermuda College lecturer Sean O'Connell who was fired for allegedly making racial remarks.

Dr. O'Connell, a maths lecturer with 29 years service at the college, was sacked last summer over allegations he had made racist remarks in a conversation with colleagues.

He was reported by another colleague who overheard the talk but has denied the allegation.

Mr. Fox said Dr. O'Connell had been a friend and helper of the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association (BPHA) for 27 years and could not believe he was capable of making such comments.

He said: "I have been in fundraising, to parties, social and dinner functions with Dr. O'Connell and have never once experienced any sort of racial remarks."

He urged Labour Minister Randy Horton and Education Minister Terry Lister to refer the case to an Employment Tribunal. Neither has intervened in the row so far and both are off the island.

Mr. Fox said Dr. O'Connell worked diligently to help make the College accessible to the disabled and encouraged the disabled to use the College.

He said he had come up with innovative fundraising ideas for raising money for the disabled including swimming around Bermuda (a feat which got him in the Guinness Book of Records), running the length of Bermuda for 24 hours and circumnavigating three quarters of the island on a surfboard powered by bicycle gears.

"He is my good friend "He is my good friend and I respect him," said Mr. Fox. "Thanks to him for assisting the BPHA for all those years."

The lecturer was a positive person who did not have a grudge against the College, said Mr. Fox, and he questioned why Dr. O'Connell wasn't even fired in person by outgoing College President Michael Orenduff but instead was just sent a letter.

The Bermuda Public Services Union general secretary Edward Ball has urged Dr. Orenduff to refer the case to arbitration.

Bermuda College Chairman Raymond Tannock said the matter would be tackled at a board meeting on Wednesday.