Angus Murray fired from THA as facility manager of Buccoo Integrated Facility
FORMER manager of the Buccoo Integrated Facility (BIF) Angus Murray, who was fired by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) after just three months on the job, has lashed out at the Buccoo Integrated Facility Committee (BIFC) for statements made in a media release to refute his dismissal claims last week.
Murray had produced documentary evidence showing that his services were terminated after he had questioned via a telephone call a protocol officer about the use of the salutation “honourable” to address Chief Secretary Orville London.
According to his documents, Murray was fired with immediate effect on December 6, 2011 after receiving a warning letter from the BIFC on November 22, 2011. However, in the media release, the BIFC alleges that Murray was summoned to a meeting to discuss “a myriad of issues” which surrounded his own modus operandi as well as the conflict with the committee’s overall mandate and objectives.
“He dismissed himself from that meeting and the committee decided that given the chronology of unfortunate incidents, it would recommend that a more suitable candidate be considered to achieve the major goals and objectives of the Buccoo Integrated Facility,” stated the media release.
But in a terse response over the weekend, Murray stoutly defended his original position on the matter. He pointed out that he did indeed meet with members of the committee but it was over the issue of the letter of complaint from the protocol officer about his questioning of the salutation “honourable”.
“At the meeting I requested a copy of that letter of complaint, so that I could properly address the issue at hand but this was denied me,” he cried. “I informed the committee that in the circumstances I would have to seek legal advice on the matter,” he added. “There wasn’t any other matter or issues as they are now suggesting. In fact, according to their November 22 letter to me, I was commended highly for my hard work and proactive initiatives undertaken during my period of employment,” he noted. “How could they be saying they were pleased with my work and now come and say in their release that I had a myriad of issues and my modus operandi was in conflict with the committee’s objectives?” questioned Murray.
Murray described the release as a blatant fabrication meant to mislead the people of Tobago and further tarnish his professional integrity. He has vowed to seek legal redress in the matter in the Industrial Court of Trinidad and Tobago.
