Victory for firefighter sacked by union over backing Brexit
A FIREFIGHTER dismissed from his union role after speaking at a pro-Brexit rally has won a legal fight over his removal.
Paul Embery, former London regional secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, was axed from his post after sharing a platform with Nigel Farage at a Leave Means Leave protest in 2019, a hearing was told.
He took his case to an employment tribunal, claiming he was sacked because the union leadership was in favour of remaining in the EU and would not tolerate any dissent, even though he spoke at the rally in a personal capacity.
Norwich employment tribunal ruled he was unfairly dismissed, saying the union had embarked on a “witchhunt”. In their judgment, the tribunal panel said: “It would appear right from the start of the investigation process that there was an agenda to have the claimant removed.
“The investigation looked like no more than a witch-hunt. The tribunal had the feeling that it was pre-determined.
“How could any fair-minded member come to a reasonable belief of the facts that the claimant had committed any form of misconduct?”
The FBU had argued he was removed from his post for being “openly” critical of his union, and not for his political position.
Mr Embery said: “I maintain all along that my sacking was politically motivated. It is clear from its findings that the tribunal panel shared my view. While I am glad that, after two years, justice has finally been served, I take no pleasure in the outcome.
“It was an honour to serve as an FBU officer for 20 years and I remain to this day a proud member of the union.”
The union said Mr Embery was warned by the FBU president prior to the rally that it had a policy on sharing a platform with Brexiteers Nigel Farage and Richard Tice.
In his witness statement, Mr Embery said: “That I shared a platform with individuals whom they regarded as traditional political opponents was, for these officials, a serious aggravating factor.
“Some considered such joint campaigning a form of treachery.”