Unfair Dismissal Claim of Paul Farthing Rejected by Tribunal

Paul Farthing, a former Assistant Land Registrar at HM Land Registry, faced an employment tribunal after his dismissal for gross misconduct. The tribunal ruled against his claims of unfair dismissal, breach of contract, and disability discrimination, citing his actions as methodical harassment towards his client, Samantha Williams.

The Independent

Farthing's dismissal stemmed from a series of inappropriate actions directed at Williams, including derogatory social media posts where he labeled her a "narcissist" and accused her of having "mental health issues" that made her unfit to work with children. He also contacted her workplace, threatening to "go public" with his allegations if no action was taken against her. Furthermore, he referred to her father-in-law as "a convicted nonce" and accessed confidential Land Registry information regarding Williams and her husband’s farm without authorization.

The Independent

An investigation led by Jonathon Mudford concluded that Farthing's behavior was not impulsive but rather "methodical and calculating." Mudford noted that Farthing's repeated actions over several months indicated a deliberate campaign of harassment rather than a reaction stemming from his claimed brain injury. The tribunal found that Farthing had breached the Land Registry’s social media policy and unlawfully harassed Williams, leading to his immediate dismissal.

The Independent

Employment Judge Stephen Povey affirmed the fairness of the dismissal, highlighting the thoroughness of the investigation. He stated that the decision to terminate Farthing's employment was proportionate given the severity of his misconduct, which included accessing and sharing confidential data and bringing the Land Registry into disrepute. Judge Povey emphasized that the investigation was conducted with care and diligence, dismissing Farthing's claims of discrimination during the process.

The Independent

Farthing argued that his brain injury caused emotional instability, which he claimed should mitigate his actions. However, the tribunal found no merit in this defense, concluding that his behavior was consistently inappropriate and abusive.

The Independent

• "Your actions and negative behaviours that you have shown over a continuous period of months have been methodical and calculating." — Jonathon Mudford, Investigator

The Independent

• "The social media posts which he did make public were clearly inappropriate and, at times, abusive and malicious." — Employment Judge Stephen Povey

The Independent

The tribunal's decision underscores the importance of maintaining professional conduct within public service roles. Farthing's case serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of harassment and misuse of position, particularly in sensitive environments like the HM Land Registry.

The Independent