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Fares
says Board
N AREA training manager's Iter containing "grave and amaging" allegations about le operation of the Road ransport Industry Training ,oard led to his dismissal, an Idustrial tribunal in Leeds las told.
In the letter, which was read ut to the tribunal, the distissed man referred to the card's senior staff as "a set of pivs and con-men."
Mr Gerald Fitzpatrick, 57, of larforth near Leeds, alleged nfair dismissal by the board rem his position as area raining manager for South 'orkshire. Mr James Mitchell, for the board, said the letter Mr Fitzpatrick sent to the Director General contained all sorts of grave allegations about the board's operation and its personnel.
In another section of the letter, he alleged there were irregularities concerning the selection of firms for exemption from paying a levy.
"The board examined each of these allegations and gave Mr Fitzpatrick all reasonable opportunity of substantiating them", said Mr Mitchell.
The board reasonably satisfied itself that there was no substance in them, he added. Mr Mitchell said the publication of the letter to parties outside the board was a gross breach of an express term of his contract of employment.
He said the board had no reasonable alternative but to dismiss Mr Fitzpatrick.
The board chairman, Mr Kenneth Turner, said the reference to "spivs and conmen" was quite untrue.
"The directors in question are all highly regarded experts in their field and were recruited from top British companies where they were holding top jobs," he added.
The hearing continues.