Travelgate whistleblower fights back

Parliament's axed chief financial officer, Harry Charlton, is to approach the Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for his reinstatement.

The man who helped expose parliament's so-called Travelgate scam is also planning to sue for defamation.

"Mr Harry Charlton will this week be referring to the CCMA for conciliation a dispute in regard to his dismissal from the position of chief financial officer of parliament.

"He contends that his dismissal was substantively and procedurally unfair in numerous respects, and he intends to ask for relief in the form of reinstatement into his former position and/or compensation," Charlton's attorney, John MacRobert, said on Tuesday.

Conciliation is a step the Labour Relations Act obliges a dismissed employee to take before arbitration by the CCMA, or adjudication by the Labour Court.

The conciliation should take place within 30 days of referral, and is a process private to the parties and a CCMA-appointed conciliator.

MacRobert said in addition to an unfair dismissal claim, his client believed he had been defamed, and "that his good name, standing and reputation have been called into question".

He had therefore instructed his legal team to "pursue legal action to seek redress by publication of suitable retractions and apologies, and the recovery of appropriate damages".

MacRobert said Charlton remained willing to assist the authorities, including Parliament, the liquidators of the travel agencies concerned and the Scorpions, in the Travelgate investigation.

"(This is) in whatever way he can, in pursuing and finalising any investigations, and effecting recovery of moneys due to Parliament either by employees of Parliament, Members of Parliament, or travel agencies," MacRobert said.

Charlton was sacked earlier this month after a disciplinary inquiry at parliament. - Sapa