A WHISTLEBLOWER has claimed he was hounded out of a mana-gerial job at Pendle Citizens’ Advice Bureau because he stuck up for fed-up staff.

Paul Harding, of Rushton Street, Barrowford, has accused the bureau’s district manager Claire Strachan of an 18-month ‘campaign of victimisation and bullying’ because he aired staff grievances, an industrial tribunal in Manchester was told.

Mr Harding started working for the Pendle CAB in December 2006, initially as an advice services supervisor, but was promoted to a management post later, where he was responsible for monitoring the quality of assistance given by staff and volunteers to clients.

But the tribunal heard that problems began when the CAB reported financial difficulties in 2007. Yet at the same time, staff had discovered that Mrs Strachan had been allowed to work for one day less per week, for the same salary.

Mr Harding said there had been talk of redundancies and staff felt that they had not been kept informed of the financial position of the bureau.

Mr Harding was first told he had been selected for redundancy in January 2008 and he insisted that there had been no proper consultation procedure.

He told the tribunal: “A sham redudancy was created and when this did not work they tried to pretend that there were ongoing problems between Claire and myself.”

The tribunal heard that a series of meetings was held throughout 2008 involving Mr Harding, CAB chairman Ruth Palmer, her deputy Pauline McCormick and various board members including former Burnley MP Peter Pike and Dr Tom Pickles.

Mr Harding said he was told that there were two similar managerial positions within the bureau and because of financial constraints, he was being asked to leave.

But he claims that no alternatives were ever considered as his colleague Francis ope had wanted to take voluntary redundancy from his book-keeping duties.

The redundancy was eventually deferred and Mr Harding said he went on to help secure two crucial financial grants for the CAB.

Later, Mr Harding said he was told by a colleague that Mrs Strachan had been overheard, in the office, in a reference to him, saying “Seriously, that man has to go.”

The tribunal is expected to last for five days.