AN OXFORD science tutor collapsed as he heard his manager give evidence against a sacked colleague at an employment tribunal.

David Hillman was so upset he staggered across the room and crashed to the floor, clutching his chest and complaining of heart palpitations.

An ambulance was called but the head of science later recovered from what was at first feared to be a heart attack.

He was attending a hearing into the dismissal of chemistry teacher Andrew Hilton, who claimed he was suspended without notice from his job at an exclusive Oxfordshire tutorial college in a row over contracts.

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The 56-year-old had taught at Oxford Tutorial College for more than 20 years, lecturing in chemistry and physics to A-Level and GCSE pupils. He claimed he was bullied out of his job last September after he said managers sprang a new contract on him in a meeting.

The new conditions, including a guaranteed minimum of 35 hours a week paid at £28 an hour, would have resulted in a salary cut, Mr Hilton told the tribunal in Reading yesterday.

He said he was called to a meeting on September 3 last year with Charles Runacres, director of studies at the college, and college principal David Wilkins, where he was presented with a new contract to sign. Mr Hilton said he had felt threatened and bullied.

Mr Wilkins told the hearing he was “surprised” by the bullying allegations and added: “I do not remember the meeting being threatening at all.”

The tribunal continues.

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