An Armenian woman trainee of the British HMRC tax service has received £16,506.95 in compensation after an employment tribunal recognized her as a victim of direct and indirect racial discrimination, the Daily Mail reports.

The investigation was prompted by allegations that she allegedly declared that she intended to use her position because she “could get back at Russia for killing my family.” The Armenian HMRC trainee, known only as Ms X, began working at the company in January 2019.

She completed her probation before leaving in January 2020—and then returning in July 2022, when Damian Robson became her line manager. The asylum seeker, who became a British citizen shortly after 2004, had changed her surname in 2019 while previously working for HMRC, as it was “very distinctive” and “identified her as an Armenian from Abkhazia.”

She had also reported a previous assault on her and was concerned that her previous surname, which was visible on HMRC’s internal computer system, could compromise her safety. During a staffing conversation in August 2022, Ms X said that she would like to work in the Customs & International Trade department, where her research, analytical, and Russian language and culture experience could be useful.

After the conversation, which lasted almost an hour, Robson made detailed notes of the conversation. They included a statement that the employee allegedly wanted to “get back at Russia for killing my family.” The woman rejected this statement and stated that the notes did not reflect the content of the conversation.

However, it was on the basis of these notes that a disciplinary investigation was opened against her. She was later given a written warning. During the appeal hearing, the allegation was even made that she intended to use her position to “kill Russians”.

Ms X sought a review of the situation by appealing to an employment tribunal in Edinburgh. There, Employment Judge Melanie Sangster concluded that she was the victim of direct and indirect race discrimination.

The tribunal also dismissed a number of other claims of racial harassment. HMRC has now been ordered to pay Ms X, who continues to work there, £16,506.95 for injury to feelings.