At the Manchester Employment Tribunal Salford University failed to win costs against Dr Moran, the researcher dismissed for political reasons.
Salford University was represented in its costs action against Dr Moran by a legal team that included barrister Miss O'rourke and a lawyer.
When the decison went against her, and Salford University was awarded nothing, Salford University's barrister O'rourke hectored the Chairman of the tribunal Mr Robertson at length, complaining about the campaign in defence of Rhetta, and the effect that the lack of a financial award would have on the University's reputation.
O'rourke seemed to be trying desperately to find a way to win something for the University, and was creative with the tribunal procedure, crying unfair in that the Chairman had not looked into Rhetta Moran's finances in advance of the employment tribunal's decision, of whether or not in fact to award costs.
Maybe Harloe, Salford University's hard hearted Vice-Chancellor will now decide to stop any further pursuit of Dr Moran. He must surely be aware of the further damage to Salford University's reputation caused by this vindictive pursuit of Dr Moran for costs. The bill is now estimated at £140,000 and rising
Maybe Harloe will even have some twinges of conscience about whatever role he played in this murky affair from its inception. He might reflect back to the time Rhetta Moran's research became embarassing to the labour government, a government that in its determination to assuage the right wing press, has attempted to starve asylum seekers into leaving the UK through its not allowing them to work, yet at the same time refusing to house or feed them.
Allying Salford University with a government persecuting those who have fled terrible persecution in Iran, Iraq, the Congo, Darfur and other places has brought Salford University only the contempt of those involved in the protection of human rights. Starving people is inhumane whatever your political outlook, and Salford University should have had no part in the suppressing of Rhetta Moran's research.
Dr Rhetta Moran is continuing her voluntary work for the tortured and the dispossessed.
In contrast to the sorry band of senior managers who are alleged to have perjured themselves when giving evidence(and it seems are now having some employment problems of their own as a reward), Dr Moran has come out of this case with her head held high.
It should be remembered that Harloe, however vindictive his nature may be, is assumed to have been only the hatchet man in this affair.
Hazel Blears the present Chair of the Labour Party should account for her alleged role in the politically inspired attempts to suppress Rhetta Moran's research and activities on behalf .
Although WorkRep was not involved in the original claim by Dr Moran, David Greenstein of WorkRep advised Dr Moran throughout the costs proceedings and attended the costs hearing.
Mr Greenstein said that, "It is not surprising that the unrepresented Dr Moran found it difficult to find proof for allegatons that Hazel Blears or others connected to the Labour Government were involved in bringing about her removal from the RAPAR project and in her dismissal from Salford University. The facts do however speak for themselves, that a highly respected researcher of world renown in her field, a consultant to the World Health Organisation, someone who has published research that is recognised internationally as being of the highest standard, and who had many devoted students who later wrote a score of letters to Dr Moran attesting to the loss they felt in trying to proceed in their studies, was removed without regard to any of her legal rights. This happened suddenly and without warning. Surely no University that respected its own reputation and that cared about its own students would have wished to lose such an asset."
Dr Moran was chosen for redundancy by a secret committee appointed with no terms of reference or even minutes of their proceedings. Dr Moran was their only candidate for redundancy.
The fact that Salford University did not win a penny from Dr Moran in their claim against her drives home her moral victory.
Salford University, in its own interest should now cease to prolong this case. Salford University's application for costs has been rejected and it would be unwise to now attempt to use a technicality to launch an appeal at the Employment Appeals Tribunal(EAT).
WorkRep will continue to assist Dr Moran in resisting any further attempts By Salford University to pursue her for costs.
Disclaimer: Dr Rhetta Moran has not been consulted with regard to articles and information published by WorkRep in relation to this case.
© Workrep 29 / 04 / 2007