FORMER tourism chief David Christley is to sue the city council for a six figure sum following his controversial sacking for alleged gross misconduct the Citizen can exclusively reveal.

Christley, who recently ran as an independent candidate in the local elections, has issued instructions to solicitors which should land on the chief executive David Corker's desk this week.

The action highlights the traumatic ordeal endured by Mr Christley who was judged to have been unfairly dismissed at an industrial tribunal in January this year. The tribunal chairman, a barrister, launched a blistering attack on the council's poor handling of the matter and concluded that its case was "procedurally and substantively unfair." It was also stated that officers had not kept proper records and notes and that the written evidence offered by Cllr Charles Grattan differed substantially from his oral testimony.

Mr Christley's personal injury case will include claims for damages for loss of earnings and for severe psychiatric injury. His solicitors are expected to recommend that the council considers the views of two eminent experts in the field. It is understood the council can object to the named doctors but have to provide sound reasons for doing so.

The action is also expected to claim that the council's treatment of Mr Christley was negligent and that it was in breach of its statutory duty towards the former officer who prior to this had established a long and unblemished record in public service.

The council has a few weeks to respond to Mr Christley's solicitors, who are based in Manchester, and will probably pass the claim on to its insurers. Mr Christley has already been paid in the region of £20,000 for his wrongful dismissal and the claim for damages is expected to be considerably more costly than this.

Mr Christley, who declined to comment on this latest development, is understood also to be considering actions for defamation against individual members of the council following statements issued after the tribunal had cleared his name, Christley was further angered when officers refused to let him address council members to give his side of the story. Despite the tribunal findings Mr Christley has received no apology nor has any action been taken against any councillor or officer despite a promised "urgent" review of procedures by former Deputy Leader, Cllr Ian Barker.

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