A decorated RNLI volunteer has emerged victorious in an unfair dismissal claim after being sacked for describing London Mayor Sadiq Khan as a "terrorist" in a social media post.
Michael Kitt, 52, had served with the Rosslare Harbour lifeboat station for over 25 years before his controversial Facebook comment cost him his position. The experienced helmsman was dismissed following a disciplinary hearing that concluded his remarks brought the respected rescue charity into disrepute.
The Controversial Comment
The incident unfolded when Kitt responded to a news article about Mayor Khan with the inflammatory statement: "This terrorist is a disgrace." The comment remained visible on his personal Facebook profile for approximately 30 minutes before being deleted.
Despite his swift removal of the post and subsequent apology, the RNLI initiated disciplinary proceedings that ultimately led to his dismissal in February 2023.
Tribunal Ruling
In a significant ruling, the Workplace Relations Commission found the dismissal to be "disproportionate" and determined the RNLI had failed to follow fair procedures. The tribunal noted that while Kitt's comment was "offensive and unacceptable," the charity had not adequately considered mitigating factors.
Adjudicator Breiffni McNeill highlighted several key points in the decision:
- The post was made on Kitt's personal Facebook account, not an official RNLI platform
- The comment was deleted within 30 minutes of being posted
- Kitt had immediately apologised for his remarks
- The helmsman had an otherwise unblemished 25-year record with the charity
Broader Implications
This case raises important questions about the boundaries between employees' personal social media use and their professional responsibilities. The ruling suggests that even offensive political comments made privately may not always justify dismissal, particularly when the employee has a long service history and demonstrates remorse.
The RNLI, which relies heavily on public donations and volunteer goodwill, argued that Kitt's comments damaged their reputation as an apolitical organisation. However, the tribunal found the dismissal process flawed and the punishment excessive given the circumstances.
Both parties now await a subsequent hearing to determine appropriate compensation for the unfair dismissal.
