A former director at addiction charity Turning Point has called for widespread resignations at the charity - including chief executive Victor Adebowale and deputy chief executive David Hoare.
Ibukun Adebayo was dismissed from her position as director of IT in August 2013, after reporting the discovery of “lewd” emails about her that branded her "looney tunes", between chief executive Victor Adebowale (pictured) and deputy chief executive David Hoare.
But Adebayo was accused of gross misconduct for accessing the emails and subsequently dismissed.
At an employment tribunal yesterday she also called for the dismissals of assistant chief executive Andy James and HR director Fiona James.
The tribunal panel heard she is seeking £466,815 for loss of earnings and compensation for hurt feelings. But Adebayo insists her main aim is to return to work.
In a statement to Civil Society News this morning, Adebayo said she was unable to comment on whether a financial settlement has been offered to her.
“My aim is to resume my career in a forward-thinking organisation,” she said. “I now have this aspersion of gross misconduct on my name and have been unable to find a job for over two years since my dismissal.
“I am not seeking to cause embarrassment to either Turning Point or to Lord Adebowale personally, but will always respond rigorously to any suggestion of impropriety on my part.
Adebayo said she is "looking forward" to "sharing an open podium with Lord Adebowale to debate each of our track records on integrity at Turning Point".
Adebowale rejected Adebayo’s wish to return to the charity.
He told the tribunal panel the former director had set out on a campaign to “embarrass and humiliate” him, raising complaints with public body chief executives and politicians – including emails to former Liberal Democrat cabinet minister Vince Cable, in which she copied in prime minister David Cameron; and an email to Mark Hammond at the European Human Rights Commission, in which she copied in Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership.
"I cannot see how Ibukun could return to Turning Point in light of this. She is seeking to cause embarrassment to the organisation and to myself personally,” he said.
Adebayo told Civil Society News this morning that she "stands by" her resignation request.
“Charities – as is the case with all organisations – require leaders at the helm who have the integrity of character to run the business without dismissing employees unfairly and treating employees humanely.
“I will continue to defend my name, rigorously”.
Turning Point was founded 50 years ago to support people with drug and alcohol addictions. Princess Diana became a patron in 1985.
The charity was approached by Civil Society News for comment but it chose not to respond pending the tribunal decision. The hearing continues.
