MS cost prison worker his job
Feb 26 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal
A PRISON worker with multiple sclerosis lost his job after he became a “danger to himself and his colleagues”, a tribunal was told yesterday.
Sean Gorman, of Kenton, Newcastle, was dismissed from his job as a drugs counsellor at Castington young offenders’ institute, Morpeth, Northumberland, in February last year.
His condition affects his central nervous system, meaning he sometimes needs a walking stick and experiences numbness in his hands.
The 35-year-old was considered unfit to carry out his duties by the prison doctor and, it was claimed, he would be unable to escape quickly in the event of a riot.
Acting governor Bill Tait said: “The advice I got was that the whole of the rest of the prison would be at risk if Mr Gorman was alone with prisoners. I could not guarantee Mr Gorman’s safe escape if things turned volatile. Mr Gorman was simply not mobile enough to get out, or reach the alarm if something untoward happened.
“In the worst-case scenario of a riot, instead of sitting today in a tribunal, I could have been giving evidence down the road at the crown court. He was a danger to himself and his colleagues.”
Having been diagnosed with MS in 1999, the former actor, musician and magician was forced to stop performing as the MS took hold of his body and he became less mobile.
Having put “a great deal of time” into plotting his next move, he took a job at the prison in December 2005.
But flare-ups of the condition forced him to take extended periods off work.
Representing himself at the tribunal on Newcastle’s Quayside yesterday, with his wife Sarah and dad Terry supporting him, the father-of-two was also told that his walking stick contravened security regulations at the institute, as it could be used as a weapon.
He said: “I feel very confused about the whole thing. I had declared the condition at the beginning of my employment. In retrospect, I don’t think the people who employed me appreciated the condition themselves.
“I felt I was capable of getting myself out of the department if required. I don’t think my condition was treated sensitively.”
Following the decision on his health, Mr Gorman was offered an administrative position within HM Prison Service, an alternative he refused.
Mr Gorman is claiming unfair dismissal and disability discrimination damages against HM Prison Service.
The tribunal continues.
