Former Shifnal council clerk wins tribunal case

A long-serving former Shropshire clerk today won his case for constructive unfair dismissal at a tribunal against his former town council employers.

The panel in Birmingham will decide later today how much taxpayers in Shifnal will have to pay out after ruling former town council clerk Peter Hurlstone was justified in his claim of unfair treatment at the hands of councillors he had worked with for 20 years.

The 68-year-old said he had been left with no choice but to step down from his post following a letter from town councillor Adam Teecey accusing him of stealing oak panelling from the town's crumbling magistrates court.

Mr Hurlstone, a chartered surveyor, said the letter was distributed to councillors and discussed in a behind-closed-doors meeting - but no effort was made by civic leaders to rubbish the claims.

Mr Hurlstone, of Neachley, near Shifnal, had claimed constructive unfair dismissal and 19 days' holiday pay. After a three-day hearing, the panel today ruled in his favour.

Panel chairman Mrs Fiona Monk said: "Given the serious nat-ure of the allegation and the manner which it was circulated, along with the failure of the respondents to adequately deal with the matter when it was brought to their attention and remedy the damage to Mr Hurlstone, we consider there can be no possible argument it was anything other than unfair constructive dismissal."

She said it was clear Mr Hurlstone had resigned in response to the allegation made by Mr Teecey in his letter.