Boss blamed over sacking

A COMPANY director twice convicted of heroin possession was behind the sacking of a whistleblower at his oil exploration business.

The Court of Appeal found Frank Timis, director of International Petroleum, advised chairman Antony Sage to sack chief executive Alexander Osipov for whistleblowing over allegations of corruption at the firm’s assets in Niger.

Judges upheld a record-breaking £2m award to Osipov, who was dismissed in October 2014 just months after taking the job.

The court ruled that Timis – who was convicted of possession of heroin with intent to supply in 1990 and 1994 in Australia – and Sage were individually liable for the unfair dismissal.

It is the first time that individual directors have been found culpable for an employee’s unjust sacking. Until now companies have been held liable. Timis, 55, accidentally sent an email to Osipov alerting him to his dismissal, which read: ‘Release Alex from his job and appoint Anya to manage any future deals.’

Gareth Brahams, of BDBF, which represented Osipov, said: ‘We believe this will encourage decision-makers to think more carefully before giving instructions to dismiss an employee for whistleblowing.’