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Sub-contracted worker's voice note about 'cocaine' and 'h*es' at Intel site was 'satire', lawyers say
Summary
In a tribunal hearing on 22 January 2025, Aran Burrows, a former Weltec Engineering subcontractor, alleged that his February 2024 contract non‑renewal was whistleblower penalisation under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. Burrows claimed a voice note he recorded, containing remarks about "cocaine use, smoking joints, b**ches and h*es" and unsafe work at height, was used by the company as a "cover‑up" to justify the non‑renewal. Weltec's safety manager, Dave Kerrigan, and health and safety manager, James Hackett, testified that the voice note was deemed a protected disclosure because it contained "some satire" but also raised legitimate safety concerns. They argued the note revealed breaches of Intel's safety policy, such as working at height without a clipped‑off system. The tribunal heard that the report had not been read by company staff and that the decision to not renew Burrows' contract was made jointly by senior managers following the voice note's discovery.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sub-contracted worker's voice note about 'cocaine' and 'h*es' at Intel site was 'satire', lawyers say. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- February 2024 Other
- 19 February Other
- Friday 23 February Other
- 2025-01-22 Publication
Why: "That's not necessarily true, because in your direct evidence you said you didn't take everything Mr Burrows took literally," she said. CNI source report
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Hearing Or Decision
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