A senior Tyne Tunnels engineer is bringing an unfair dismissal claim against tunnel operator TT2 after he says he was sacked for raising alleged safety and governance concerns. Hanson Pottinger claims his disclosures could have involved costs to the public purse of between £1m and £5m.
Mr Pottinger was dismissed by TT2 in February 2026, after 22 years with the company. He says his sacking was retaliation for whistleblowing, a claim TT2 denies.
Allegations and Company Response
The company says he was dismissed for gross misconduct, citing the alleged misuse of a system to access a confidential email. The allegations raised by Mr Pottinger concerned unauthorised traffic measures used during maintenance work in the northbound tunnel, which it was claimed could have helped TT2 avoid contractual penalties.
The North East Mayoral Authority investigated the matter and said it found "no evidence TT2 had concealed information".
Statement and Next Steps
TT2 said: "The Tyne Tunnels are safe, have always been safe, and will continue to be safe under TT2's operation and management."
The full employment tribunal hearing has yet to take place.
