David Lloyd Trainer Loses Wrongful Dismissal Claim and Faces £17,000 Bill
A personal trainer dismissed by David Lloyd gyms following accusations of sexual harassment has seen his wrongful dismissal claim rejected by an employment tribunal. Alex West, 45, has been ordered to cover the company's legal fees amounting to £17,000 after the tribunal dismissed his case.
Allegations of Inappropriate Behaviour
The London South employment tribunal in Croydon heard that West, who worked at the chain's Cheam club in Surrey for nearly eight years, faced multiple allegations of sexual harassment. During a staff Christmas party on December 3, 2021, West reportedly asked a male colleague 'are you a poofter?' and told a female co-worker to 'stop teasing him' when she bent over. He also allegedly asked her to 'put her bum on the pool table so he could do a better shot' and touched another woman's stomach to inquire if she was pregnant.
Refusal to Cooperate with Investigation
West was suspended eight days after the incident and called to an investigation meeting. At this meeting, he made an opening statement but then refused to answer any questions put to him. He further breached his suspension terms by making five separate visits to a David Lloyd gym in Epsom, where the tribunal found he solicited character references from clients. These references inadvertently corroborated the allegations against him.
Disciplinary Hearing and Tribunal Proceedings
At his disciplinary hearing on January 6, 2022, West again made an opening statement and refused to answer questions, leaving his employer with 'absolutely no confidence' he would not repeat the behaviour, according to the tribunal. During the tribunal itself, West attempted to deliver a three-hour opening statement before being instructed by the judge that this was not how proceedings functioned.
Employment Judge Victoria Wright described West as an 'evasive' and 'deflective' witness who appeared to have been coached. She dismissed his claim that the real reason for his dismissal was a grievance he had raised against David Lloyd in 2018. His sexual orientation discrimination claim, where he argued he was forced out for being straight, was thrown out before the main hearing began after West failed to pay a required deposit.
Questionable Legal Representation and Fees
West submitted nearly £30,000 in legal fees as part of his claim, which he had never actually paid to the firm representing him. He had been explicitly told by a judge not to include these fees. The legal firm, Tower Legal Services, operated via a Hotmail address under the name 'John Tower'. At every hearing, West was represented in person by his father Alan, who is a fellow director of the company behind the firm, with West serving as company secretary. When asked if John Tower was a real person, Alan stated he was 'part of the organisation' before later claiming he had left.
Financial Claims and Holiday During Hearing
When ordered to cover David Lloyd's legal fees, West submitted a financial statement showing net assets of minus £104 and savings of just £50. He then skipped the costs hearing to fly to Cancun, Mexico, for a holiday. Speaking from her home in Surbiton, Surrey, West's mother Elaine told the Daily Mail: 'It's been going on for so long and it's disgusting what they are saying about him. He's got another job doing landscape gardening work, but he's disappointed with it - he's really been struggling mentally.'
She added: 'His dad is helping to defend him, but they have told him to pay substantial costs and he hasn't got it and we haven't got it. He got leave to appeal and then they came back with more costs - it's almost £19,000 now, it's ridiculous. They have accused him of things that he just didn't do.'
Elaine further claimed: 'The whole premise of what happened was ludicrous - it was lies and they had no evidence. One witness in Alex's favour wasn't even allowed to give evidence. There is a lot to this and they have told a lot of lies about him. I get upset thinking about it and he struggles emotionally with things like this.'
