£1000 for man who lost job over smoking in firm's van

A WORKER who was sacked for smoking in his company van has won almost £1000 at an employment tribunal.

Colin Blackwood, 47, lost his job last June with Opticore Limited, which maintains and repairs telecommunications networks, after he was spotted smoking while driving a company vehicle.

At a tribunal in Edinburgh, Mr Blackwood, of Craigend Park, Edinburgh, claimed unfair dismissal on the grounds he was not told of the appeals process and was awarded 990 by judge Douglas Fairley.

In a written judgment, judge Fairley said: "The respondent omitted various basic steps of a fair process and the dismissal of the claimant was, as a result procedurally unfair." He added that Mr Blackwood contributed 75 per cent to his dismissal.