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February 10, 2005updated 22 Nov 2022 2:16pm

Tribunal revisited

By Press Gazette

By Roger Pearson

A journalist seeking £38,000 for alleged constructive dismissal from
his job must return to an employment tribunal for a further hearing
following a successful challenge by his ex-employer.

Bill Beckett, former sports editor of the Western Daily Press,
resigned over his treatment following the appointment of a new editor
and won his claim in June last year at a hearing in Bristol.

The
Employment Appeal Tribunal in London was told Beckett had operated as a
down-table sub in the evening but the new editor wanted a more
“pro-active”

approach with an 11am conference, weekend work and visits to contacts.

However,
Beckett believed there was a “plot” to get rid of him and quit
suffering stress. He claimed constructive dismissal, although he lost
another claim for disability discrimination.

Judge Reid, QC, said
the Appeals Tribunal took the view the original tribunal had, on the
basis of the wording it used in its decision, “erred in the legal test”
it applied in deciding the case in favour of Beckett.

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The case
will be reconsidered by the original tribunal. Dan Stiletz, for Bristol
United Press, argued that criticisms0by the original tribunal of the
way Beckett was treated were “perverse” and said the tribunal had
“misdirected itself in law.”

He said the editor, Terry Manners,
had told Beckett if he wasn’t able to do the “extended role” then he
could continue as he was with someone else carrying out the other
duties.

He said the earlier tribunal had rejected Beckett’s
claims that there had been “a plot against him” and that the editor had
threatened to “make his life hell”

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

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