Sex claim manager wins job case

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A senior council manager who claimed he was forced to quit his job after complaining about workplace sex has won his case for unfair dismissal.

Tom McNeil, 52, said he left his Aberdeen City Council job after reporting two colleagues for engaging in sex acts.

He claimed he saw a woman performing a sex act on then director of sport and leisure Brian Woodcock.

Mr McNeil was awarded £26,028. He said it was "absolutely brilliant".

The woman involved in the tribunal claims cannot be named for legal reasons.

Sexual innuendo

It was claimed that Mr McNeil had invented the claims of workplace sex to cover up his own regime of sexual harassment and drinking.

Mary Kearns, representing Aberdeen City Council, said Mr McNeil was a story teller.

Mrs Kearns said Mr McNeil was a sexual harasser who addressed female employees in a flippant manner and often used sexual innuendo.

However the tribunal, which began last July, had previously heard that Mr McNeil was the subject of a "witch hunt" instigated by the woman.

'Clear name'

He said after the ruling: "The council has caused themselves damage yet again and the taxpayers will be left to foot the bill for this 20-day tribunal.

"I had no choice but to leave. The allegations against me were scandalous.

"This has never been about the money, I just wanted to clear my name."

The tribunal ruled Mr McNeil was unfairly, constructively dismissed by the council, and awarded him half the compensation possible on the grounds he had contributed to his dismissal because of his own conduct.

An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: "We are looking at the terms of the judgement and will take any appropriate action thereafter."