A Metropolitan Police civilian worker, who was dismissed for making what were described as 'disgusting' and 'sexual' comments to female colleagues, has successfully claimed he was discriminated against due to his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Martin Madden, 49, argued that his condition made it difficult for him to refrain from making inadvertent sexual innuendos, and with support from his wife, he won his case at an employment tribunal.
Details of the Inappropriate Comments
Martin Madden's behaviour came to light when three female colleagues reported similar experiences. Jennifer Hall was left 'disgusted' after he joked about 'playing with' his 'joystick' in reference to a PlayStation. Colleague Troyangel Vydelingum found him 'crude' when he commented on a Facebook picture of her dressed as a cheerleader, asking about her 'pom poms'. His manager, Tracey Ingram, raised concerns in September 2022 after he told her he would 'make sure he had it up for her' during meetings.
Background and Investigation
Madden, who lives with his wife Leanne, 45, in south London, had worked at the Police National Computer Bureau within the Met since 2001, maintaining an 'unblemished' record until his dismissal in February 2024. He was diagnosed with ADHD in August 2022. Shortly after, in September 2022, Ms Ingram, who is 'happily married', instructed him to stop making inappropriately 'forward' comments. Other incidents included him telling a colleague to 'get your bits out' while she searched her handbag and complimenting Ms Ingram's WhatsApp picture as 'lovely'.
In December 2022, Madden made the comment about Vydelingum's pom poms, and in January 2023, he repeatedly pestered colleague Jennifer Hall to join him at the work gym. Hall recalled that in the previous summer, when she commented on his new PlayStation, he joked, 'Yea you can't beat a good old play with myself on my joy stick.' An investigation launched in April 2023 saw Madden maintain he was just being 'friendly' and meant comments like 'get your bits out' literally.
ADHD and the Tribunal's Ruling
An ADHD expert testified that Madden found it 'hard to refrain from saying something that comes to mind'. However, the Metropolitan Police ignored his ADHD pleas and proceeded with his dismissal. Employment Judge Liz Ord found that Madden's 'social boundaries were blurred and he did not observe social cues'. Judge Ord stated, 'The Metropolitan Police knew about Mr Madden's ADHD and concedes he was disabled. He did not appreciate his actions were inappropriate. He was dismissed because of his comments. This was unfavourable treatment because of something arising in consequence of his disability.'
Context and Aftermath
This case unfolded against the backdrop of the Metropolitan Police gaining a new Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, in September 2022, following the murder of Sarah Everard by a Met policeman in 2021. Sir Mark had vowed to tackle 'unacceptable behaviours'. When the three women realised their shared experiences with Madden, they complained, leading to his dismissal. As a result of the tribunal's ruling, Martin Madden is now in line for compensation, highlighting the complexities of disability discrimination in workplace conduct cases.
