RSPCA manager in tribunal probe

ALLEGED comments: Mandy Tierney, from the RSPCA

A FORMER RSPCA worker has accused ex-colleagues of sexual harassment.

Matthew Lingard (18) left the Oldham branch of the animal charity in March 2011, believing he had been sacked.

He raised the sexual harassment allegations only after launching unfair dismissal proceedings.

The RSPCA claims Mr Lingard resigned and denies the harassment charge.

The drama unfolded when Mr Lingard suffer severe back pain in March 2011.

He told the branch manager, Mandy Tierney, he wanted to go to hospital.

When his boss asked him to leave his work keys and walkie-talkie, Mr Lingard took this as meaning if he went, he would be fired.

He said he told another colleague he was “going” — before leaving for the hospital.

Mr Lingard told the tribunal he later realised this could have been perceived as offering his resignation.

Lingard revealed a string of occasions on which he claimed he had been sexually harassed by his former colleagues He said that despite loving his job, he started to hate going to work,

But RSPCA branch employee Lisa Walsh told the tribunal the entire workforce flirted and enjoyed what she referred to as “banter”.

“He was always flirting and he was always the one to start it,” she said

The tribunal was continuing today.