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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.

Sacked charity worker’s hunger strike threat

This news post is about 9 years old
 

​Paul Steele says he will starve himself to clear his name after he was accused of theft from an Edinburgh charity

A charity worker sacked for theft is to go on hunger strike in a bid to clear his name.

Paul Steele, who was employed part-time by Edinburgh charity Ace IT, says the episode has left him feeling suicidal as well as penniless after Jobcentre staff sanctioned him as a result of the sacking.

He says he is relying on handouts and loans from friends just to survive and now fears he will lose his rented accommodation.

Steele was dismissed by the charity last month after being accused of a night-time break in which saw the theft of an IPad.

Paul Steele

I’ve been left with worse than nothing. With theft allegations hanging over me, I may never be able to work again

Paul Steele

Despite never being questioned by police, the charity worker was hauled before a disciplinary committee two days later and sacked.

Although Steele had volunteered with the organisation since early 2000 when it was first established, he had been formally employed for less than two years, negating his right to have his case heard at a tribunal.

He now says he will begin a hunger strike on 6 April unless Ace IT retracts allegations against him and publicly issues a statement confirming this.

Steele told TFN: “I’ve been left with worse than nothing. With theft allegations hanging over me, I may never be able to work again.

“It’s just been a nightmare. Someone at the charity wanted me out and used this excuse to do so.

“Being sacked for theft, for a break-in, is ludicrous. The organisation knows it has went against procedure in doing this.

“I just want my name cleared.”

Ace IT was launched 2001 as Age Concern Edinburgh Information Technology and became one of the central providers of community-based computer training in the Edinburgh area.

The average age of each learner is 75 years old and to date over 6,000 older people have benefited from its training courses.

Jenny Ridge, chief executive of Ace IT, confirmed Steele was dismissed for theft following the break-in and that she stood by the sacking.

She told TFN: “It is unfortunate it has come to this but we are confident we have followed due process and taken lawyers’ advice throughout.

“We were involved with police and although there was insufficient evidence for an arrest, we were advised by our lawyers there was enough evidence to dismiss Mr Steele.

“That is the basis for his dismissal. We have known Paul for many years and we didn’t take this decision lightly.”

Police Scotland confirmed there had been a report of a break in at the premises but the employee had not been questioned.

Steele added: “I’ve never felt so low in all my adult life. One unsubstantiated allegation has ruined me and now I’m trying to figure out how I can survive without money and no hope of employment.”

 

Comments

0 0
Helena
about 9 years ago
Evidence? I would have thought they would require clear unsubstantiated proof in order to sack an employee, otherwise it would surely be tantamount to unfair dismissal?
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Mike
almost 9 years ago
You need a high level of trust in IT people as they have access to valuable equipment and data. But if you're going to sack someone for theft of some of that valuable equipment you should have proof. The police didn't have evidence to arrest but the employer had evidence to sack? That doesn't seem right, but it does seem this organisation has acted improperly. Suspicion is not enough to warrant such action, there's more to this than is being reported, but the doubt is with Age IT and not this chap Paul Steele.
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Paul Steele
almost 9 years ago
Due to serious medical test results due this week and importent information pending from Police Scotland I have been persuaded to delay the start of the Hunger Strike until 20th April. If Ace It have not admited their mistake by then the stike will begin on that date despite the serious dangers to my health.However, this doesn't mean there will be no protests prior to the 20th April - Particularly as a new witness to the sale of the iPad has come forward and formally confirmed I was not the seller (With no response from ACE IT)...Time to bring the fight to their door!https://www.facebook.com/dismissaldiaries
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Ken Webb
almost 9 years ago
Put up or shut up ACE IT. Despite what your lawyers say, you are guilty of defamation of character and/or libel, evidenced by the DWP believing the allegations you have made. From my understanding, this definition applies: "Under common law, to constitute defamation, a claim must generally be false and have been made to someone other than the person defamed. Some common law jurisdictions also distinguish between spoken defamation, called slander, and defamation in other media such as printed words or images, called libel." So unless a court of law backs up your allegation I would suggest to Mr. Steele that he takes action against you. Kangaroo Courts are not recognised in civil law.
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Paul Steele
almost 9 years ago
Ace It management committee claim that they are acting on the advice of their lawyers based on information provided by Police Scotland. However - The charity also claim the information was provided "off the record" and so there is no paperwork from the Police (Police say this is rubbish!) supporting their case. The lawyers or anyone else from Ace It never spoke directly to the Police other than my accuser who verbally passed the information along and had their word accepted without question - Despite having several open complaints against them over the way they had treated me. This same person was allowed to lead and host the disciplinary hearing and dismiss me.All I am asking for is some independent agency such as ACAS or OSCR to independently investigate this situation which has taken everything away from me and ruined my life!
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Paul Steele
almost 9 years ago
Disabled Worker's 2nd day on Hunger Strike To Clear NameDisabled community worker Paul Steele now about to start third day of Hunger Strike after being unfairly sacked by Edinburgh Charity ACE IT for Gross Misconduct.Finds new witness via social networking who confirms innocence of crime even Police Scotland has repeatedly stated he did not commit - Yet despite ruining his life charity refuses to acknowledge, reinstate or compensate!The Dismissal Diaries: http://www.edinburgharts.net/dismissaldiaries/ Facebook Diaries: http://www.facebook.com/dismissaldiaries
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Jim Grover
almost 9 years ago
Mr Steele has now commenced his hungert strike. Can I please have some independent assurances that his heath will be monitored? ACE IT have treated him most improperly, but it is difficult to back-track if acting on questionable legal advice. This man's work (mostly unpaid) over several decades has been underervalued, his character ruined and he has explored all reasonable routes to clear his name. Surely someone can do something to put an end to this desperate situation. ACE IT, and Ms J Ridge in particular, should have the courage to reconsider their former decisions and prevent a possible tragedy.
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Paul Steele
almost 9 years ago
Update 8th May 2015.... Just had a telephone conversation with the Police Officer who has been handling my complaint into the evidence ACE IT claim came from the force and which was the only evidence used to dismiss me. The officer is placing the investigation report before a senior officer for approval before a letter with the findings is sent to me. While I can not discuss (at this time) the material I have been informed is awaiting final approval – I can tell you that this should finally bring the matter to an end once and for all. I can also inform you that I have been crying some very happy tears whilst doing a very silly little dance!! Stay Tuned Via http://edinburgharts.net/dismissaldiaries/
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