A London Underground worker who made protected disclosures about health and safety in stations was unfairly dismissed, an employment tribunal has ruled.
London Central tribunal heard disclosures from Micky Steeds, a skilled vents worker, regarding failed face-fitting tests for respirator masks, dumping of hazardous waste and dangerous working practices that he believed exposed him, his colleagues and passengers to asbestos and other toxic materials.
The full judgment has not yet been published. The tribunal found that the evidence presented by London Underground ‘fell short of demonstrating compliance on all occasions. The failure to dispose of hazardous waste appropriately may give rise to criminal and civil liability.’
After Steeds made his disclosures in 2023, London Underground told him to return to work, in what he was concerned were dangerous conditions, or be dismissed. The tribunal found that this was an ‘unfair and unjustifiable ultimatum’.
Chevan Ilangaratne, counsel for Steeds, described the decision to dismiss him as exceptionally hasty and harsh. He argued that Steeds had raised legitimate public interest concerns, and had been treated badly by London Underground as a result. Ilangaratne said the effect of this treatment was to silence Steeds.
The tribunal judge ruled that even if the disclosures were not the principal reason for his dismissal, the ‘total failure of the respondent to follow its own procedure rendered it substantially and procedurally unfair’....
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