Travel tycoon tribunal told of email attack by takeover boss

A SCOTTISH tycoon was slated in a foul-mouthed email from the US firm that bought his £36million travel empire, an employment tribunal heard yesterday.

Barrhead Travel’s founder Bill Munro was also accused of taking Travel Leaders Group “for a ride” in a series of blistering emails.

Jonathan Knapp, a senior vicepresident with Travel Leaders, made Munro redundant months

BY STEPHEN STEWART s.stewart@dailyrecord.co.uk after buying the firm last year, the tribunal in Glasgow heard.

During the deal, Knapp sent an email saying: “F*** him! I’m happy to acquiesce but my recommendation is to serve him notice day one after completion.”

In another email to Munro’s solicitors, Knapp said the Scot “either is really dense or he is trying to take us for a ride”. Munro, 75, launched legal action claiming unfair dismissal and is trying to be reinstated at the company.

At first, he stayed on as chairman after the buyout but claims his dismissal was a “sham”.

Munro started Barrhead Travel in 1975. It grew to more than 70 stores, employing 1000 workers.

Bill and his daughter Sharon sold Barrhead Travel to Travel Leaders in February last year.

Yesterday, the tribunal heard that Munro was offered a new position with Travel Leaders UK but refused because it removed his 42 years of continuous service with the firm.

When this was put to Knapp, he said this was a “silly” issue to be concerned about.

Under UK law, workers have little protection of employment if they have less than two years’ service.

The tribunal continues.