UK: Civil servant who was sacked over claim she lied about photo of her gagged and bound loses claim

Article here. Excerpt:

'A civil servant who was sacked over a claim she lied about a photo of her gagged and bound to a chair has lost her £500,000 compensation claim for unfair dismissal after a tribunal ruled it was just 'high jinks'.

The image of Marine Scotland worker DeeAnn Fitzpatrick went viral in 2018 after she claimed she was subjected to the ordeal for blowing the whistle on abusive and misogynist behaviour in the office.

The Senior Fishery Officer said in a BBC interview that tape was placed over her mouth to 'shut' her up as she was told 'that's what you get for speaking out about the boys.'

Bosses later fired Ms Fitzpatrick for lying about when the photo was taken so she could claim it was punishment for her whistle blowing complaint.

She then attempted to sue her employer for £500,000.

However, an employment tribunal has now thrown out Ms Fitzpatrick's claim of unfair dismissal as it ruled the photo was just 'high jinks' and the two male workers who tied her up believed they were playing a prank.'