London Underground drops appeal against ‘squash playing’ driver

An
appeal against a tribunal’s finding that the sacking of a Tube driver caught
playing squash while on sick leave was unfair, has been dropped.

London
Underground said it had reached a settlement with Chris Barrett who lost his
job last year after being seen leaving a sports centre. Barrett’s claim that he
had been advised to exercise to help his ankle injury was upheld by the
tribunal.

It
has been reported that Barrett received £8,500 in the settlement.

In
May, an employment tribunal heard how Barrett, who earned £32,000 a year,
injured his ankle while playing football. He said he had played squash to test
his ankle’s strength after becoming bored of the gym.

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The
Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union backed Barrett and a strike was held
in support of him in November 2003.

By
Mike Berry