An Edinburgh employment tribunal has ordered expenses scandal MP Jim Devine to pay his former assistant Marion Kinley £35,000 in compensation for bullying and harassment.
Ms Kinley, 47, from Glasgow, also won claims for breach of contract and unfair constructive dismissal after the tribunal ruled Mr Devine bullied and harassed her out of her job.
Tribunal Judge Jane Porter said: "The claimant showed great fortitude through her employment during which it can only be said the claimant was subjected to a course of bullying and harassment by the respondent."
Lies, lies, and more lies
Ms Kinley told the tribunal how Mr Devine had persuaded a friend to call her pretending to be a journalist looking into MPs expenses. As part of the hoax, Mr Devine claimed the pretend journalist was writing a story about Ms Kinley and intended to publish details regarding her salary and claim she was having an affair with him.
He also lied to co-workers that she was a gambling addict being investigated for fraud.
Fed up with the pranks, she decided to write a letter of grievance to Mr Devine. She eventually signed off work sick and later resigned.
Mr Devine, former MP for Livingston, did not attend the hearing. He is currently under investigation for falsely claiming Westminster parliamentary expenses, which he denies.
Links:
- Former MP Jim Devine 'bullied' office manager (BBC News)
- Constructive dismissal law (Findlaw.co.uk)
- Unfair dismissal law (Findlaw.co.uk)
- Constructive dismissal law news (The Solicitor)
- Unfair dismissal law news (The Solicitor)
- Employment law Q&A (Community)
- Find an employment solicitor (Contact Law)
