Child Protection Staff Among 14 Axed Over Glitter Email

FOURTEEN staff have been axed after a council probe into joke e-mails about Gary Glitter. The sacked workers include child protection staff at South Lanarkshire’s offices in Rutherglen and Hamilton.

Investigations are still continuing and it is believed more people could face the sack. Council chiefs launched a probe into inappropriate and pornographic e-mails last month.

Some staff were suspended amid claims they sent joke e-mails where a child’s head was superimposed on pictures of Gary Glitter carrying a “duty free” bag.

It’s believed one of the e-mails was sent to an outside agency. When they complained, the e-mail was tracked by the council’s IT unit.

Today’s sackings involve some staff for the Glitter images, while some are believed to have been dismissed for sending pornographic e-mails.

The council’s social work department has borne the brunt of the sackings with around half, based at offices in Rutherglen and Hamilton, being dismissed.

Social workers and transport staff were also axed.

It is thought some staff may now appeal the decision.

A spokesman for Unison’s South Lanarkshire branch said: “We represented people through the process and will continue to give them representation if they choose to appeal.”

Sources within the council have called for more guidance to be issued over spoof e-mails.

One said: “What could be considered humorous or passing comment on topical issues to one person could be construed as offensive to another person. There would seem to be an overreaction to this.”

A spokeswoman for South Lanarkshire Council said: “The investigation is still ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

“Under the terms of the Data Protection Act we don’t discuss individuals.”