A model and former Oxford University graduate has won her case for unfair dismissal after being fired for accusing a charity of siphoning off public funds.
Robina Husain-Naviatti, 38, was deputy director of Forensic Therapies when she noticed alleged irregularities in the finances of the charity. The charity offers prisoner counselling.
The Daily Express website claimed Husain-Naviatti first alerted trustees that a £535,000 government grant had only been recorded as £240,000 in a business plan.
She also claimed that her own salary was being unknowingly paid by two separate funding bodies.
Husain-Naviatti raised a formal grievance after the trustees allegedly refused to take her complaint seriously. She was suspended from work two months later in December 2008.
The following year, in April 2009, Husain-Naviatti alerted the Charity Commission to the possible fraud and was dismissed two months later.
At her employment tribunal last week in Watford, Miss Husain-Naviatti was awarded £47,580 in compensation.
The tribunal rules that the real reason for her suspension and dismissal were her allegations of financial impropriety.
It was also recommended that the Charity Commission should investigate her claims.
Following the judgment, Husain- Naviatti said: "I was victimised, harassed and ultimately lost my livelihood for daring to raise serious concerns about the potential misuse of public funds.
"I suffered immense stress and trauma, culminating in the loss of my job. I feel this judgment goes some way to achieving justice."
Forensic Therapies, a London-based charity now in liquidation, said: "It was concluded that there was no evidence to support the claimant's allegations."
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