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From Yorkshire Evening Post 29th October 2008 By Aisha Iqbal (Note from the Morley Borough Independents Exposed news team: Councillor Paul Cook, as well as every single other councillor accused of bullying in this tribunal, are Morley Borough Independent councillors. This important point seems to have been missed by the local press.) A COUNCILLOR accused of bullying an employee who had recently battled cancer has denied any wrongdoing. Former town clerk Karen Barrett is jointly suing Councillor Paul Cook and Morley Town Council for discrimination and constructive dismissal. A tribunal in Leeds heard that Mrs Barrett, 49, was suspended from her job 48 hours before she was due to return after months of chemotherapy for breast cancer. Though that decision was quickly reversed, Mrs Barrett resigned weeks later claiming bullying and discrimination because of her illness. Coun Cook, elected in Scatcherd ward this year, told the tribunal he "absolutely refutes" suggestions of bullying. His actions toward Mrs Barrett were driven purely by concern for her welfare. His own wife had recently had cancer and he knew exactly how debilitating the illness could be, he said. However he admitted under cross examination that the decision to suspend Mrs Barrett had been influenced by the council's finances. The tribunal heard that an emergency meeting of councillors was held to discuss Mrs Barrett's position just days before she was due to return to work on November 1 last year. The meeting was called by Coun Cook, who had met Mrs Barrett for the first time a few days before, concluding she looked "unwell" and "unfit for work". The meeting voted to draft a letter asking Mrs Barrett not to return to work until a full occupational therapist's report. At least two medical experts had given her the all clear to come back. Coun Cook admitted the meeting had been "heated" and the position of the council was "desperate". "We did not want Mrs Barrett to fall ill again and the council be held responsible for it," he said. Mrs Barrett also claims to have been distressed by a phone conversation with Coun Cook in which he allegedly told her that her annual leave and her phased return to work had not been agreed, though she believed they had. However Coun Cook said it was Mrs Barrett who had instigated the phone call. She had become unreasonable and confrontational and threatened to sue the council, he said. Mrs Barrett, left, also objects to Coun Cook heading an investigation into her original complaints as he was one of the main people complained about. The tribunal heard that Morley Town Council is operating without a full time town clerk. END |
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