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Stobart lawyer asks IC to drop public inquiry
Page 9
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THE LAWYER DEFENDING Eddie Stobart against allegations of misinterpreting the law on weekly rest says the consequences of a public inquiry and the resulting publicity are "very serious".
The haulage company was called to a public inquiry following hours problems at its Wakefield depot (CM 29 June)..Ihis was after a Vosa check of 26,000 tacho charts.
Vosa blames the problems on "a misinterpretation of legislation in respect of weekly rest provision for drivers who were not subject to EU or domestic drivers' hours regulations during the week while working for their main employer."
But transport lawyer Stephen Kirkbright says Vosa, not Stobart, has misinterpreted the law. He is writing toTCTom Macartney for a second time, urging him to reconsider the inquiry because there is no public safety issue.
Kirkbright says:"You don't have to take into account those in non transport-related employment. [But] from next year you specifically have to, because of the new regulations.That's the difference."
Because the company decided to introduce a system that complies with Vosa's interpretation "as a matter of good practice", Kirk bright claims it is simply 12 months "ahead of the game".
christophentindall@rbi.co.uk