Diabetic driver wins £60,000 after unfair dismissal

A London bus driver was awarded nearly £60,000 in damages in May after an employment ­tribunal judged he was unfairly dismissed from his job after developing diabetes.

David Hoggett worked for Abellio London Limited – which operates the capital’s iconic red buses – and claimed sick pay after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in April last year.

A doctor put him on a course of medication, but after trying to ­return to work he suffered a setback and was again signed off sick, eventually being dismissed in July 2012 on medical grounds of “capability”.

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But he sued the company for ­unfair dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of his disability and successfully won his claim at the tribunal hearing, being awarded £10,000 compensation for injury to feelings and two years of his salary, almost £47,000.

In response, the company said that while it was “disappointed” with the result, it would abide by the tribunal’s conclusions.