Incompetence (Ann Seex York LGO)
"Investigation by Ann Seex, director of community services at the council, as 'coloured and flawed."
An industrial tribunal has awarded a former tourism chief at Lancaster City Council £22,000 after ruling he was unfairly dismissed following allegations that he had called a female member of staff a 'rottweiler', reports The Times (p3).
David Christley, 48, a former head of tourism at Morecambe tourist information centre, was sacked by the council for gross misconduct last April after Barbara Burton complained that female staff were either known as 'dogs' or 'bitches'. Mrs Burton claimed she had to see a doctor who diagnosed post-traumatic stress syndrome.
The tribunal ruled that the council had failed to investigate whether Mrs Burton's condition was wholly or partially caused by Mr Christley's management style and described an investigation by Ann Seex, director of community services at the council, as 'coloured and flawed'.
Mr Christley, who worked for the council for 26 years, said: 'The tribunal's decision completely exonerates me without a single word or criticism but I still feel sick about the way I have been treated.'
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