Sacked driver wants job back

A London Underground driver sacked for playing squash while on sick leave said today he wanted his job back after winning a case for unfair dismissal.

Chris Barrett said he either wanted his old job as a driver back or would consider another position with the company.

His solicitors are seeking a five-figure sum in compensation and loss of earnings after he won his employment tribunal case.

Mr Barrett revealed today that a former professional footballer who now works as a sports injury therapist had devised a programme for him of rising intensity to include playing squash so that he could recover from an ankle injury.

He was sacked by LU after being spotted coming out of a sports centre and admitted he had been playing squash but maintained it was part of a programme to return to work.

Mr Barrett had said during the tribunal that he did not want his job back and is now employed by a local authority.

But he told a news conference today that he had made a "knee-jerk reaction" because of the stress of the case and was now clear that he wanted to work for LU again.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union, which supported Mr Barrett, said they wanted an investigation to find out who leaked details of his sickness record to the media.

General secretary Bob Crow said publication of the sickness record had "poisoned" the case before it was even heard by a tribunal.

"We need to know who authorised that leak and what action LU now intends to take against those responsible and to ensure it does not happen again," said Mr Crow.

Mr Crow presented Mr Barrett with a new squash racquet to celebrate his tribunal victory.

London Underground is appealing against the tribunal's decision.