This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/nov/21/lynne-townley-senior-former-manager-sues-cps-unfair-dismissal
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Senior former manager sues CPS for unfair dismissal | Senior former manager sues CPS for unfair dismissal |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A senior former manager is suing the Crown Prosecution Service for unfair and constructive dismissal in an employment claim that has exposed strains in the way cases are brought to trial. | A senior former manager is suing the Crown Prosecution Service for unfair and constructive dismissal in an employment claim that has exposed strains in the way cases are brought to trial. |
| Lynne Townley, a solicitor advocate who worked for the CPS for 12 years, is alleging that she was not supported when dealing with other prosecutors, in particular one who dealt with high profile cases at the Old Bailey whom she alleged was “woefully inadequate”. | Lynne Townley, a solicitor advocate who worked for the CPS for 12 years, is alleging that she was not supported when dealing with other prosecutors, in particular one who dealt with high profile cases at the Old Bailey whom she alleged was “woefully inadequate”. |
| Her claim before the central London employment tribunal has revealed clashes behind the legal scenes at a time when the service is under funding pressure. | Her claim before the central London employment tribunal has revealed clashes behind the legal scenes at a time when the service is under funding pressure. |
| Townley, who left the CPS last year, was described by John Hardy QC, who is representing her, as having had a “glittering career”, including acting as a legal adviser to NHS England and holding visiting professorships at several overseas universities. | Townley, who left the CPS last year, was described by John Hardy QC, who is representing her, as having had a “glittering career”, including acting as a legal adviser to NHS England and holding visiting professorships at several overseas universities. |
| Among her responsibilities, however, was managing a prosecutor whom, the tribunal was told, was later dismissed, reinstated and downgraded. “[This lawyer] was saddled with cases of considerable complexity,” Hardy said. “He was woefully inadequate and … an employee who was simply unmanageable. | Among her responsibilities, however, was managing a prosecutor whom, the tribunal was told, was later dismissed, reinstated and downgraded. “[This lawyer] was saddled with cases of considerable complexity,” Hardy said. “He was woefully inadequate and … an employee who was simply unmanageable. |
| “There is a question of what backup [Townley] received. We would characterise the senior management as paralysed by indecision and displaying all the characteristics of institutional cowardice. What happened to Ms Townley was that she was given sticking plasters to cover gaping wounds. [She] was a prize employee who should have been treasured by the CPS. But she was threatened over her sickness absence over [this fiasco].” | “There is a question of what backup [Townley] received. We would characterise the senior management as paralysed by indecision and displaying all the characteristics of institutional cowardice. What happened to Ms Townley was that she was given sticking plasters to cover gaping wounds. [She] was a prize employee who should have been treasured by the CPS. But she was threatened over her sickness absence over [this fiasco].” |
| The dismissed CPS lawyer was removed for gross misconduct as the result of a case at the central criminal court, Hardy said, following “scathing criticism from the police officer in the case.” He was later offered reinstatement. Townley, Hardy said, ended up facing dismissal and being refused any compensation. | The dismissed CPS lawyer was removed for gross misconduct as the result of a case at the central criminal court, Hardy said, following “scathing criticism from the police officer in the case.” He was later offered reinstatement. Townley, Hardy said, ended up facing dismissal and being refused any compensation. |
| Saul Margo, the barrister representing the CPS, said the issue was whether the dismissed CPS lawyer was not just “difficult but impossible to manage”. He was being effectively managed by the claimant, Margo said. What was behind the case, he said, was the fact that Townley had twice sought to make use of the early, voluntary release scheme. “She asked for severance from the service and a financial offer,” he said. | Saul Margo, the barrister representing the CPS, said the issue was whether the dismissed CPS lawyer was not just “difficult but impossible to manage”. He was being effectively managed by the claimant, Margo said. What was behind the case, he said, was the fact that Townley had twice sought to make use of the early, voluntary release scheme. “She asked for severance from the service and a financial offer,” he said. |
| The dismissed CPS lawyer was not impossible to manage, Margo said. She did manage him. “The last straw argument doesn’t work,” he said | The dismissed CPS lawyer was not impossible to manage, Margo said. She did manage him. “The last straw argument doesn’t work,” he said |
| A judge who used to work at the CPS is due to give evidence in the case this week. The employment judge, Anthony Snelson, said although the case had begun, it was not too late for the parties to reconsider settling rather than continuing “taking lumps out of each other”. | |
| The case continues. | The case continues. |