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£477,600 Compensation for Wakefield Prison Officer
05 July 2005
Leeds Employment Tribunal has awarded former Wakefield Prison Officer Carol Lingard £477,600 compensation after she won her claim for constructive dismissal and victimisation for whistle-blowing. The Prison Service is also to pay her legal costs of around £90,000.
This is one of the largest whistle-blowing compensation awards made by a Tribunal and is believed to be the highest award in a public sector claim. It covers Mrs Lingard's lost income and pension as well as hurt to feelings. The Tribunal found in Mrs Lingard's favour earlier this year in a 67 page decision that contains damning criticisms of HM Prison Service.
Mrs Lingard says: "I received an unreserved apology from the Director General, Phil Wheatley in April 2005.
"However I remain deeply disappointed that despite giving the Prison Service many opportunities to take responsibility for their actions during the last three years, I have had to fight a very long and hard case at Tribunal and face two Tribunal hearings for this to happen.
"I am happy with the award and I am relieved that I can finally begin to put all of this behind me and look to the future."
Her solicitor, John Sturzaker, of national law firm Russell Jones & Walker, says: "Mrs Lingard was a respected officer who disclosed information highlighting serious wrongdoings on D Wing at HMP Wakefield. Her concerns and complaints were mishandled appallingly and she felt she had to resign her post.
"Mrs Lingard has now been completely vindicated by the tribunal. In their first decision the Tribunal made damning criticisms of the handling of her case by the Prison Service at all levels up to and including the Deputy Director. In their second decision, just given, the Tribunal has emphasised how good her career prospects within the Service were and how much she has lost as the result of the actions of the Prison Service.
"She is delighted with the award and can now begin to get on with the rest of her life.
"However, while the award is rightly a high one, no amount of money can compensate Mrs Lingard for what she has had to put up with over the last three years and for the loss of a very promising career."
ENDS
Russell Jones & Walker employs over 360 staff (over 160 lawyers) and is renowned as the leading national firm of solicitors in protecting the rights and legal interest of individuals and those who represent them. RJ&W has network of regional offices and includes those in the following centre: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Cardiff, Northampton and Edinburgh.
Whistleblowing