UK family shuns 'coloured' waitstaff

A storm is brewing over allegations that a British family staying at a US luxury hotel refused to be served by "coloured" staff, the Telegraph reports.

The family allegedly told staff at a five-star Ritz-Carlton in Florida they did not wish to be served by "people of colour" or anyone with "foreign accents".

The issue came to light after Haitian-born waiter Wadner Tranchant sued the Ritz-Carlton for breaching the Civil Rights Act in preventing him from waiting on the family.

Court papers state the family's request was entered into the hotel's computer system before Tranchant was stopped from serving them and moved to other duties.

According to the documents, he was so offended that he has sought medical and psychological help.

His lawyer said nine witnesses would testify to the family's racist request.

A spokesman for the Ritz-Carlton refused to comment.

- NZHERALD STAFF