A SELLAFIELD worker who claimed her contract was terminated when she blew the whistle over allegations of bullying and workplace harassment has had her case thrown out.

A 13-day long employment tribunal held in Leeds found Alison McDermott, who was contracted with a remit of equality, diversity and inclusion, did not meet the threshold to be classed as a whistleblower.

The judge found there was no 'causal link between what she said or wrote' that led to her contract being terminated.

She said employees were scared to raise issues and the manager who was champion for diversity was herself accused of intimidating behaviour and using profanities.

Ms McDermott took Sellafield, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and HR director Heather Roberts to an employment tribunal after she claimed her contract was terminated when she blew the whistle on allegations of workplace harassment.

However following deliberations Judge Philip Lancaster, in his written decision, said: "The Claimant has not, on the facts, established any alleged disclosure which is properly capable of amounting to a protected qualifying disclosure or the doing of a protected act, or that there is any causal link between what she actually said or wrote and the only proven detriment to which she has in reality been subjected, which is the lawful determination of the contract with Interim Diversity Ltd through whom she chose to provide her services."

It said the panel was 'satisfied the reason why the contract was terminated was because of reliable information which cast doubt on the balance and impartiality shown by the Claimant in the preparation of the Draft Report, that the report itself lacked any meaningful analysis and that its recommendations were vague and entirely generic.'

"This questionable and insubstantial piece of work by the Claimant had, however, incurred a cost to date of in excess of £12,000," said the panel.

Ms McDermott took Sellafield, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and HR director Heather Roberts to the tribunal.

The tribunal had heard complaints of "vile" homophobic abuse, bullying and harassment were made by staff.

An anonymous report which alleged sexual harassment was shared with a member of staff who told Ms McDermott: "Everybody knows the guy's a creep and nothing is ever done."

Ms McDermott, who was paid £1,500 a day, said when she first met Ms Roberts to discuss an equality report the director told her: "I hope you're not going to tell me we're going to start letting women in burkas in here."

Deshpal Panesar QC, representing Sellafield and Ms Roberts, accused Ms McDermott of 'self-serving fabrications'.

He said she was seeking to claim £1.17 million, which equated to £56,000 for each of the 21 days she had been employed.