Liverpool John Moores reneged on job promise, lecturer argues

An academic has accused Liverpool John Moores University of terminating his contract despite having guaranteed him three years' employment if he succeeded in a grant application.

John Middleton, former president of the University and College Union branch at Liverpool John Moores and senior lecturer in engineering, is taking the institution to an employment tribunal, claiming unfair dismissal.

He alleges that when he was nearing his 65th birthday, managers persuaded him to apply for a research grant worth more than £200,000 over three years.

His claim states: "I agreed to do this on the condition that I would be employed to the end of the contract."

The claim form says that a senior manager "agreed verbally" to this, but after the grant arrived, he was given a retirement date three months after his 65th birthday, well before the end of the contract.

A spokeswoman for Liverpool John Moores said: "While Mr Middleton may feel happy to discuss the details of his case, the university would not wish to respond."

melanie.newman@tsleducation.com.