A Scottish housebuilding giant must pay more than 550,000 in damages to a whistleblower it tried to silence after he raised concerns about asbestos.

Martin McGowan, 63, took legal action against Springfield Properties plc, a former Housebuilder of the Year winner based in Morayshire, after a health and safety conviction against the firm.

McGowan, a subcontractor, who once employed 70 people on the company’s projects, grew concerned about the presence of asbestos at several of its developments across Scotland’s central belt.

He claims he was ignored when he brought the issue to the company’s attention and said he feared for the health of his employees, who included his own son. He also felt compelled to alert homeowners to the potential risks.

In response, Springfield obtained an interim court order, known in Scotland as an interdict, to prevent McGowan from speaking publicly about the asbestos. The court heard that the company believed his actions were damaging its business.

The gagging order, which was in place for five years, had a devastating impact on McGowan’s life and reputation.

He told the court that it led to him being blacklisted from the construction sector, causing financial hardship and extreme distress.

His family life was also affected, with the court hearing that his older children initially refused to speak to him or allow him to see his grandchildren.

The interdict was eventually lifted after Springfield was fined 10,000 for breaching health and safety...

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