A SPEECH therapist who accused interviewers of racism and homophobia after failing to secure a new post has been punished by a health watchdog.

Eugene Pillay told members of the panel he hoped karma would “bite the a****” of one of their number after he was unsuccessful in his application to work at a new psychiatric in-patient unit for Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) misconduct hearing was told how Mr Pillay bombarded one of the interviewers with a series of ‘threatening’ e-mails in the wake of his rejection in December 2015.

In a single day he accused the interviewer of being racist and homophobic - and insisted she was the main cause for him being overlooked for the role, the HCPC panel was told.

Mr Pillay, the following January, then sent a further e-mail to four people involved in the interview, accusing one of them of being ‘incompetent’.

The matter, following a complaint, was referred to the HCPC by a professional lead at Lancashire Care shortly afterwards.

While the majority of the allegations were found proved surrounding the case, by the HCPC panel, it was ruled his behaviour was ‘threatening’ but could not be considered ‘offensive’.

A HCPC spokesman said: “(His) conduct fell far below the standard expected of a registered practitioner and the panel takes the opportunity to declare it is wholly unacceptable for a speech and language therapist to send threatening...e-mails.”

Mr Pillay was allowed to continue practising, on condition that he completes a reflective statement, analysing his failings.

He must also keep the regulator informed of any future speech and language therapist positions he obtains over the next six months.