Johnsons Solicitors has successfully defended jewellery business Argento in an Employment Tribunal case involving a former employee who claimed he was fired for whistleblowing.

Richard Ferguson was dismissed from his role as business manager with Argento after just six weeks in the role for gross misconduct during his probationary period in September 2016.

Mr Ferguson then took an unfair dismissal action against the company, claiming he was fired for acting as a whistleblower.

Rhys Jones, partner at Johnsons Solicitors, said: “Johnsons have acted for Argento for many years and are pleased with the outcome of this complex Employment Tribunal case.

“Mr Ferguson raised a claim against Argento claiming that he had made protected disclosures during the course of his employment and that this was the reason for his dismissal.

“The Industrial Tribunal dismissed all claims put forward by Mr Ferguson and found that his contract of employment was indeed terminated for gross misconduct, following an investigation into Mr Ferguson’s conduct, attitude and behaviour.”

Over five days of hearings, the Tribunal heard that conversations with certain staff and management were covertly recorded by Mr Ferguson during his six weeks’ service with Argento, without consent.

On the last day, a witness, having seen press reports of the ongoing proceedings, informed the company that Mr Ferguson had raised a similar claim against a former employer and that the High Court had granted injunctions against Mr Ferguson in respect of matters arising out of the termination of his former employment.

Mr Ferguson represented himself during the tribunal.