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Ambulance boss misconduct charge | Ambulance boss misconduct charge |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A director of the West Midlands air ambulance is to appear before the paramedics' professional body accused of serious professional misconduct. | A director of the West Midlands air ambulance is to appear before the paramedics' professional body accused of serious professional misconduct. |
Paul Leaman is due before the Health Professions Council on 24 March accused over his conduct while a manager at Essex Ambulance Service. | Paul Leaman is due before the Health Professions Council on 24 March accused over his conduct while a manager at Essex Ambulance Service. |
He is accused of using an NHS vehicle for a trip to buy alcohol in France. | He is accused of using an NHS vehicle for a trip to buy alcohol in France. |
The hearing will also hear charges of colluding with a supplier and victimising a whistleblower. | The hearing will also hear charges of colluding with a supplier and victimising a whistleblower. |
Mr Leaman was seconded to the County Air Ambulance - which changed its name to Midlands Air Ambulance on Monday - as charity appeals director in 2008. | Mr Leaman was seconded to the County Air Ambulance - which changed its name to Midlands Air Ambulance on Monday - as charity appeals director in 2008. |
Tribunal allegations | Tribunal allegations |
The charges follow criticisms of Mr Leaman by a 2007 industrial tribunal brought by a transport manager at the trust, Paul Holmes. | The charges follow criticisms of Mr Leaman by a 2007 industrial tribunal brought by a transport manager at the trust, Paul Holmes. |
The allegations of financial collusion relate to Mr Leaman's time as a manager at Essex Ambulance Service. | The allegations of financial collusion relate to Mr Leaman's time as a manager at Essex Ambulance Service. |
The tribunal found Essex Ambulance Service had paid more than it should for supplies and that Mr Leaman received a verbal warning for breaching the trust's standing financial instructions. | The tribunal found Essex Ambulance Service had paid more than it should for supplies and that Mr Leaman received a verbal warning for breaching the trust's standing financial instructions. |
The tribunal also heard that, at the end of 2001, Mr Leaman used an Essex Ambulance NHS Trust vehicle to travel to France to buy alcohol. | The tribunal also heard that, at the end of 2001, Mr Leaman used an Essex Ambulance NHS Trust vehicle to travel to France to buy alcohol. |
Mr Holmes had been involved in blowing the whistle on Mr Leaman's activities in both cases. | Mr Holmes had been involved in blowing the whistle on Mr Leaman's activities in both cases. |
The third charge relates to Mr Leaman's role in a disciplinary procedure bought against Mr Holmes. | The third charge relates to Mr Leaman's role in a disciplinary procedure bought against Mr Holmes. |
Mr Holmes had been accused of misusing the trust's name when he complained to Braintree District Council about domestic rubbish collection in 2005. | Mr Holmes had been accused of misusing the trust's name when he complained to Braintree District Council about domestic rubbish collection in 2005. |
He included his business card on the letter in his official capacity and copied the letter to two local newspapers. | He included his business card on the letter in his official capacity and copied the letter to two local newspapers. |
True motives | True motives |
Mr Holmes was found guilty of gross misconduct and given a final written warning to stay on his record for 18 months. | Mr Holmes was found guilty of gross misconduct and given a final written warning to stay on his record for 18 months. |
At Mr Holmes' tribunal, Mr Leaman claimed he did not realise that Mr Holmes had exposed his own alleged wrongdoing at the trust. | At Mr Holmes' tribunal, Mr Leaman claimed he did not realise that Mr Holmes had exposed his own alleged wrongdoing at the trust. |
But the tribunal said it regarded "these denials as being untrue" and were evidence of his attempt to hide his "true motives" from the tribunal. | But the tribunal said it regarded "these denials as being untrue" and were evidence of his attempt to hide his "true motives" from the tribunal. |
He is accused of acting in a way "disproportionate to (Mr Holmes') alleged misconduct" by taking disciplinary action against him. | He is accused of acting in a way "disproportionate to (Mr Holmes') alleged misconduct" by taking disciplinary action against him. |
West Midlands Ambulance Service, which appoints staff to the air ambulance, said Mr Leaman had done a first rate job since being appointed. | |
Mr Leaman has been approached by the BBC to comment but has not responded. | Mr Leaman has been approached by the BBC to comment but has not responded. |
The County Air Ambulance Trust, a charity which supports six air ambulances across central England, said Mr Leaman was not associated with it. |
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