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| NHS worker fired for 'stealing' £4 sandwich reinstated | NHS worker fired for 'stealing' £4 sandwich reinstated |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A hospital porter who was fired for "stealing" a £4 egg and bacon sandwich has been reinstated following an outpouring of public support. | A hospital porter who was fired for "stealing" a £4 egg and bacon sandwich has been reinstated following an outpouring of public support. |
| Aldren Tomlinson, who worked at King George Hospital in Ilford for 15 years, was sacked on 10 February despite agreeing to pay for the meal later. | Aldren Tomlinson, who worked at King George Hospital in Ilford for 15 years, was sacked on 10 February despite agreeing to pay for the meal later. |
| His employers, Sodexo, restored the 45-year-old's job on Thursday morning. | His employers, Sodexo, restored the 45-year-old's job on Thursday morning. |
| A spokesperson said they "received an appeal, reviewed the situation and offered the employee reinstatement". | |
| The decision came an hour before a protest was due to be held outside the hospital in support of Mr Tomlinson. | The decision came an hour before a protest was due to be held outside the hospital in support of Mr Tomlinson. |
| The NHS worker was dismissed for theft of company property after asking canteen staff if he could delay paying for his breakfast because he had left his wallet at home. | The NHS worker was dismissed for theft of company property after asking canteen staff if he could delay paying for his breakfast because he had left his wallet at home. |
| The canteen staff member who served him claims he did not hear Mr Tomlinson properly. | The canteen staff member who served him claims he did not hear Mr Tomlinson properly. |
| 'Common sense decision' | 'Common sense decision' |
| Mr Tomlinson, from Forest Gate, said he had trouble sleeping after being branded a thief and had been seeking counselling. | Mr Tomlinson, from Forest Gate, said he had trouble sleeping after being branded a thief and had been seeking counselling. |
| "To see so many people feel my pain and feel my struggle" helped him through what was a "very difficult time" he told BBC Radio London's Vanessa Feltz Breakfast Show. | |
| "Without these people I don't know where I would be. I cannot thank listeners enough." | "Without these people I don't know where I would be. I cannot thank listeners enough." |
| He said was "looking forward" to returning to Sodexo, a private company that provides staff for the NHS, on Monday. | He said was "looking forward" to returning to Sodexo, a private company that provides staff for the NHS, on Monday. |
| Michael Dooley, organiser for the GMB, which had arranged the hospital protest, said: "GMB welcome the common sense decision to reinstate Aldren to his job as hospital porter." | Michael Dooley, organiser for the GMB, which had arranged the hospital protest, said: "GMB welcome the common sense decision to reinstate Aldren to his job as hospital porter." |
| An appeal hearing against his sacking was scheduled to be heard next week. | An appeal hearing against his sacking was scheduled to be heard next week. |