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Paramedic 'bullied over naturism' | Paramedic 'bullied over naturism' |
(20 minutes later) | |
A paramedic accused of misconduct was bullied at work because of being a naturist, a hearing has been told. | A paramedic accused of misconduct was bullied at work because of being a naturist, a hearing has been told. |
Angela Armitage, who works at Honley Ambulance Station near Huddersfield, is accused of stealing money from patients between 2003 and 2007. | Angela Armitage, who works at Honley Ambulance Station near Huddersfield, is accused of stealing money from patients between 2003 and 2007. |
Colleague Pat Kenworthy told the Health Professions' Council committee that a small group of employees had gossiped about Mrs Armitage's lifestyle. | |
She told the HPC Mrs Armitage had been the victim of "malicious backstabbing". | |
Ms Kenworthy told the conduct and competence committee she had worked with Mrs Armitage for 20 years and her behaviour at work was perfectly normal. | |
Asked what aspect of her lifestyle attracted comment, she replied: "That she is a naturist." | Asked what aspect of her lifestyle attracted comment, she replied: "That she is a naturist." |
He just seemed to think it was highly amusing and the more upset I got about it the worse he became Angela Armitage | |
She added that some members of staff questioned whether Mrs Armitage had visited a local sex club. | She added that some members of staff questioned whether Mrs Armitage had visited a local sex club. |
She said: "Angela is very professional, she has been in the last 20 years I've known her a very trustworthy lady who has helped me fundraise and collect money." | |
Mrs Armitage told the hearing that she had a particularly strained relationship with one of her colleagues, Simon Rochell, who repeatedly suggested she should retire so he could take over her job. | |
She said: "He also made a great number of remarks about my personal life which Mrs Kenworthy has already explained. | |
"He just seemed to think it was highly amusing and the more upset I got about it the worse he became." | |
Lack of evidence | |
Mr Rochell, who has not attended the hearing, was one of two staff members who wrote directly to the HPC with their concerns about Mrs Armitage. | |
Robert Eastwood, a manager at the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, previously told the hearing how a member of the public had complained to him in December 2003 alleging that a member of his staff had taken money from her mother. | |
However, the allegation was dropped when the money was found two weeks later. | However, the allegation was dropped when the money was found two weeks later. |
Following this, Mrs Armitage was investigated by police three times in connection with allegations of theft. | Following this, Mrs Armitage was investigated by police three times in connection with allegations of theft. |
But the inquiries were dropped because of a lack of evidence, the committee was told. | But the inquiries were dropped because of a lack of evidence, the committee was told. |
The hearing continues. | The hearing continues. |
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