The Irish greenkeeper hired by Donald Trump to take care of the links course at the billionaire's £750m resort at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire is considering a claim for wrongful dismissal according to his solicitor.
Paul O'Connor, 43, was headhunted by Trump after winning plaudits for his work at the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie.
Before hiring him, Trump said O'Connor's "years of training and experience at Carnoustie made him an obvious choice" to become the links superintendent at Menie.
Less than a year into the job, however, and O'Connor is now considering tribunal action for compensation after he was sacked last week.
According to a report in the Press and Journal, the relationship with Trump broke down over O'Connor's refusal to screen a neighbouring property out of view from the resort.
But O'Connor's solicitor Jim Muir refused to be drawn on the reasons why he was sacked. He said: "Mr O'Connor is unaware of the reason or reasons for his apparent dismissal, as none has been given.
"I would wish to stress that contrary to some reports which I have seen in the press Mr O'Connor did not voluntarily leave his post, nor quit 'for personal reasons'. I would also stress that at the present time I am unaware of any suggestion that my client has acted improperly or unprofessionally."
This drew a stinging response from Trump's management team. "Paul O'Connor was fired after months of poor performance," said George Sorial, head of international development at Trump Organisation.
"He was unable to handle the role and we did what was necessary to protect the project.
"This decision was unanimously supported and welcomed by the entire development team.
"Paul was given the option to depart gracefully but through his lawyer has chosen to make it a public spectacle," added Mr Sorial.
Mr Muir meanwhile says O'Connor stands read to take Mr Trump to an employment tribunal.
"As in every case where an employee feels aggrieved regarding the circumstances of their dismissal or aggrieved at certain matters connected with their employment, they do have the right to raise these issues at an employment tribunal," he said.
"In the event that a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached with the Trump Organisation, then Mr O'Connor may well make an application to an employment tribunal and of course such a tribunal would be open to the public."
The new Menie golf resort in Aberdeenshire is expected to open in 2012. It has been a controversial project to say the least and many environmental campaigners criticised the council's decision to allow its construction.
In addition to two new golf courses, Trump plans to build a £250m hotel, 950 holiday homes and 500 houses at Menie.
Links:
- Tribunal looms for Trump and sacked greenkeeper (Press and Journal)
- Unfair dismissal law (Findlaw.co.uk)
- Unfair dismissal law news (The Solicitor)
- Employment law Q&A (Community)
- Find an employment solicitor (Contact Law)
