FORMER senior tourism officer David Christley, who was controversially sacked by the council and later won a case of unfair dismissal, has withdrawn his personal injuries claim against the local authority.

A change in the law prompted by a recent House of Lords ruling in another case means Mr Christley will be unable to pursue a personal injury claim having already won a tribunal settlement.

Christley was sacked following accusations of bullying but he was totally vindicated by an independent tribunal who described his sacking as both "procedurally and substantively unfair."

The tribunal awarded the maximum £29,000 and later won a £10,000 out-of-court settlement for defamation after he was libelled in a council press release. The total cost of the libel case to the local authority was £40,000 and the personal injury claim could have been a six-figure sum. Ironically, the council's coffers have been saved by the change in the law which means Christley is now unable to pursue a personal injuries claim having won the maximum settlement at a tribunal.

The former tourism officer is said to be devastated by what he considers to be a "cruel twist of fate" but has refused to make further comment.

A spokesman for the council said that they were aware the Mr Christley had withdrawn his claim.