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'Whistleblower' civil servant faces misconduct hearing | 'Whistleblower' civil servant faces misconduct hearing |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A civil servant who was allegedly gagged and tied to a chair after she spoke out against misogyny has been accused of gross misconduct. | A civil servant who was allegedly gagged and tied to a chair after she spoke out against misogyny has been accused of gross misconduct. |
Pictures of Ms Fitzpatrick bound with tape were published by BBC Scotland last year. | Pictures of Ms Fitzpatrick bound with tape were published by BBC Scotland last year. |
DeeAnn Fitzpatrick is now facing a disciplinary hearing over her account of the incident at Marine Scotland's Scrabster office, The Herald reports. | DeeAnn Fitzpatrick is now facing a disciplinary hearing over her account of the incident at Marine Scotland's Scrabster office, The Herald reports. |
Ms Fitzpatrick is standing by her original version of events. | Ms Fitzpatrick is standing by her original version of events. |
The fisheries officer is accused of making "false statements" regarding the date of the chair incident, which her colleagues claimed was an office prank. | The fisheries officer is accused of making "false statements" regarding the date of the chair incident, which her colleagues claimed was an office prank. |
She alleged she was targeted in 2010 as a result of blowing the whistle on a threatening and misogynistic culture at the fishing industry watchdog's office on the far north Caithness coast. | She alleged she was targeted in 2010 as a result of blowing the whistle on a threatening and misogynistic culture at the fishing industry watchdog's office on the far north Caithness coast. |
Ms Fitzpatrick accused two male colleagues of restraining her and said the incident left her "mentally destroyed". | Ms Fitzpatrick accused two male colleagues of restraining her and said the incident left her "mentally destroyed". |
Months later an employment tribunal ruled it would not uphold a complaint that she received abusive cards several years after chair incident. | Months later an employment tribunal ruled it would not uphold a complaint that she received abusive cards several years after chair incident. |
The chair allegation was not considered as it was said to have happened more than three years before the complaint was brought. | The chair allegation was not considered as it was said to have happened more than three years before the complaint was brought. |
Instead, the tribunal focused on her claim that she had received abusive cards on her birthday and on Valentine's Day between 2015 and 2017. | Instead, the tribunal focused on her claim that she had received abusive cards on her birthday and on Valentine's Day between 2015 and 2017. |
Ms Fitzpatrick claimed this was part of a long campaign of harassment while she worked in the Scrabster office of the Scottish government agency. | Ms Fitzpatrick claimed this was part of a long campaign of harassment while she worked in the Scrabster office of the Scottish government agency. |
Scottish Labour MSP Rhoda Grant, who has supported Ms Fitzpatrick over many years, said said she was dismayed by the latest development. | |
She said: "I have been supporting DeeAnn for over a decade where she has faced constant abuse. | |
"Instead of protecting her, Marine Scotland and the Scottish government have subjected her to numerous disciplinary procedures, this being another." | |
Earlier this year lawyers acting on her behalf confirmed that she was suing the Scottish government based on alleged stress and mental health issues. | Earlier this year lawyers acting on her behalf confirmed that she was suing the Scottish government based on alleged stress and mental health issues. |
A Scottish government spokesperson said: "This complex and sensitive case, which impacts on a number of individuals, is the subject of an ongoing internal process in line with our HR policies. | A Scottish government spokesperson said: "This complex and sensitive case, which impacts on a number of individuals, is the subject of an ongoing internal process in line with our HR policies. |
"We do not discuss individual staffing matters. We have been consistently clear that all staff within the Scottish government must be treated with dignity and respect." | "We do not discuss individual staffing matters. We have been consistently clear that all staff within the Scottish government must be treated with dignity and respect." |