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Lord Sugar attacks Apprentice 'chancer' Stella English after tribunal verdict Lord Sugar attacks Apprentice 'chancer' Stella English after tribunal verdict
(8 days later)
The winner of The Apprentice in 2010 who complained that she had been treated as an "overpaid lackey" and that her role in one of Lord Sugar's companies was a sham has lost her claim for constructive dismissal.The winner of The Apprentice in 2010 who complained that she had been treated as an "overpaid lackey" and that her role in one of Lord Sugar's companies was a sham has lost her claim for constructive dismissal.
Stella English, 34, claimed she had been demeaned and patronised by Sugar's lieutenants and left without a meaningful role before eventually being told by Sugar himself that he did not "give a shit" about her predicament.Stella English, 34, claimed she had been demeaned and patronised by Sugar's lieutenants and left without a meaningful role before eventually being told by Sugar himself that he did not "give a shit" about her predicament.
But a three-strong panel at East London Tribunal Service found against English in almost every respect, noting that she resigned without notice in May 2011 and was reinstated by Sugar in a different company, only to resign again four months later before telling her story to a newspaper.But a three-strong panel at East London Tribunal Service found against English in almost every respect, noting that she resigned without notice in May 2011 and was reinstated by Sugar in a different company, only to resign again four months later before telling her story to a newspaper.
In a written verdict, the employment judge John Warren said the claim should never have been brought.In a written verdict, the employment judge John Warren said the claim should never have been brought.
The tribunal said English had the wrong idea about how glamorous, or otherwise, the role would be and had stated in her evidence that she believed previous winners of the show "had accompanied Lord Sugar in his private jet".The tribunal said English had the wrong idea about how glamorous, or otherwise, the role would be and had stated in her evidence that she believed previous winners of the show "had accompanied Lord Sugar in his private jet".
In a predictably bellicose response, Sugar not only hailed the decision but promised to lead a wider fight against the spread of what he described as a speculative claim culture.In a predictably bellicose response, Sugar not only hailed the decision but promised to lead a wider fight against the spread of what he described as a speculative claim culture.
He said English had picked the wrong fight, describing her as a "chancer" and "money-grabber". He said: "There was never a case for us to answer but her need for money and fame meant that the whole system was subjected to this charade.He said English had picked the wrong fight, describing her as a "chancer" and "money-grabber". He said: "There was never a case for us to answer but her need for money and fame meant that the whole system was subjected to this charade.
"I have been cleared of a derisory attempt to smear my name and extract money from me. The allegations were without substance, and I believe this case was brought with one intention in mind: the presumption that I would not attend the tribunal, that I would not testify and that I would settle out of court, sending Ms English on her way with a tidy settlement."I have been cleared of a derisory attempt to smear my name and extract money from me. The allegations were without substance, and I believe this case was brought with one intention in mind: the presumption that I would not attend the tribunal, that I would not testify and that I would settle out of court, sending Ms English on her way with a tidy settlement.
"I'm afraid she underestimated me and her reputation is now in tatters. I have principles and I am not going to be forced to compromise them, no matter how much time and money they might cost me.""I'm afraid she underestimated me and her reputation is now in tatters. I have principles and I am not going to be forced to compromise them, no matter how much time and money they might cost me."
The tribunal heard how English, from Whitstable in Kent, who left a senior job with the investment bank Daiwa to work with Sugar, initially worked at Viglen, an IT services firm in Sugar's group of companies, but resigned saying she was not happy there. She was moved to Sugar's fledgling on-demand TV service YouView, only to quit again.The tribunal heard how English, from Whitstable in Kent, who left a senior job with the investment bank Daiwa to work with Sugar, initially worked at Viglen, an IT services firm in Sugar's group of companies, but resigned saying she was not happy there. She was moved to Sugar's fledgling on-demand TV service YouView, only to quit again.
During the tribunal she described the job at Viglen as a "PR construct", claiming that she was given a desk and a phone but no specific duties. She said Bordan Tkachuk, a Sugar associate known to Apprentice viewers as arguably the most chilling of the panel who grill Apprentice candidates near the end of each series, treated her with contempt and told her on the first day: "There is no job."During the tribunal she described the job at Viglen as a "PR construct", claiming that she was given a desk and a phone but no specific duties. She said Bordan Tkachuk, a Sugar associate known to Apprentice viewers as arguably the most chilling of the panel who grill Apprentice candidates near the end of each series, treated her with contempt and told her on the first day: "There is no job."
English said she then felt pressured into taking up a new position at YouView. Sugar said he was simply trying to help her out as she had complained of being "desperate for money".English said she then felt pressured into taking up a new position at YouView. Sugar said he was simply trying to help her out as she had complained of being "desperate for money".
Giving evidence to the tribunal – or, as he termed it, "having to come here and humiliate myself in front of the national media" – Sugar called his former employee a serial liar with acknowledged money problems.Giving evidence to the tribunal – or, as he termed it, "having to come here and humiliate myself in front of the national media" – Sugar called his former employee a serial liar with acknowledged money problems.
The written judgment said it was "difficult to understand" why English did not immediately tell Sugar about both resignations, leaving him to find out the second time through a press release from Max Clifford.The written judgment said it was "difficult to understand" why English did not immediately tell Sugar about both resignations, leaving him to find out the second time through a press release from Max Clifford.
Assessing English's contested claim that she had been humiliated by Tkachuk, the tribunal said simply: "We prefer Mr Tkachuk's evidence."Assessing English's contested claim that she had been humiliated by Tkachuk, the tribunal said simply: "We prefer Mr Tkachuk's evidence."
Warren said English had been ill-advised by her lawyers to go to the tribunal.Warren said English had been ill-advised by her lawyers to go to the tribunal.
Based on a format devised in the US, the first six UK series of the Apprentice saw the winner rewarded with a one-year, £100,000 contract to work for Sugar. In the subsequent two series, participants instead competed for a £250,000 investment in their own venture.Based on a format devised in the US, the first six UK series of the Apprentice saw the winner rewarded with a one-year, £100,000 contract to work for Sugar. In the subsequent two series, participants instead competed for a £250,000 investment in their own venture.
For Apprentice fans, the tribunal and subsequent 27-page judgment offered insight into the complex mechanics of the programme, not least the long limbo endured by candidates.For Apprentice fans, the tribunal and subsequent 27-page judgment offered insight into the complex mechanics of the programme, not least the long limbo endured by candidates.
When series six completed filming in November 2009, English knew only that she was among the two finalists. It was not until three days before the series finale was broadcast, 13 months later, that she knew she had won.When series six completed filming in November 2009, English knew only that she was among the two finalists. It was not until three days before the series finale was broadcast, 13 months later, that she knew she had won.
English and her co-finalist spent some of the interim period working for Sugar, something the peer took into account in making his final decision.English and her co-finalist spent some of the interim period working for Sugar, something the peer took into account in making his final decision.
The judgment also recounts the candidate selection process, notably the annual "talk of doom" in which the show's executive producer warns the final 75 shortlisted about the scrutiny they will face if picked and advises them to think carefully before proceeding.The judgment also recounts the candidate selection process, notably the annual "talk of doom" in which the show's executive producer warns the final 75 shortlisted about the scrutiny they will face if picked and advises them to think carefully before proceeding.
Near the end of the filming, English and her fellow finalist received Sugar's own "talk of gloom", urging them to come clean about things in their past or family lives that the media might seize upon.Near the end of the filming, English and her fellow finalist received Sugar's own "talk of gloom", urging them to come clean about things in their past or family lives that the media might seize upon.
In an email shortly before she started working for Viglen, Sugar warned English that her route to the job would cause inevitable suspicions among co-workers. He wrote: "The other staff will initially assume you are a waste of space due to The Apprentice. Hence earn your wings, which means everyone can see you have got the plot and making decisions that are right."In an email shortly before she started working for Viglen, Sugar warned English that her route to the job would cause inevitable suspicions among co-workers. He wrote: "The other staff will initially assume you are a waste of space due to The Apprentice. Hence earn your wings, which means everyone can see you have got the plot and making decisions that are right."
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