A NEWSPAPER editor claimed that his deputy committed the equivalent of
treason by publishing two free newspapers in the Glasgow area.
Mr Ken Laird, former deputy editor of the Sunday Mail, claimed he was
unfairly sacked after his editor, Mr Jim Cassidy, received an anonymous
note saying his deputy was publishing freesheets.
Mr Cassidy told a Glasgow industrial tribunal yesterday how he felt
''absolutely betrayed'' when he learned Mr Laird's company, Lang Syne
Publishers Ltd, had produced monthly free newspapers, the West End Free
Press and the Castlemilk Free Press.
He claimed the advertising could have been found a home in the Sunday
Mail or the company's other titles, the Daily Record and the Glaswegian,
another free newspaper.
''Treason is a horrible word and a horrible crime, and I think that's
what happened,'' said Mr Cassidy. ''The trust that had built up had gone
completely. He had betrayed myself, betrayed other journalists, and had
betrayed the company.
''The contract states quite plainly he should not be in conflict with
the company. He had, in a devious way, been in conflict with these
titles. He betrayed the contract of employment we had with him. He was
publisher of two free newspapers behind our backs in an area which is
very competitive.''
Mr Cassidy categorically denied he had been waiting nine months for an
excuse to sack his deputy following an outburst for which Mr Laird had
apologised.
Mr Cassidy denied he would speak to other editorial executives, but
conspicuously ignored Mr Laird during visits to the editorial floor.
Mr Cassidy denied he set up Mr Laird's dismissal as a means of getting
rid of him. He said Mr Laird claimed the editorial manager, Mr John
Enos, knew about the freesheets, but Mr Cassidy checked and found this
was not the case.
The Sunday Mail editor said Mr Laird had told him that he did not see
his publications as a conflict of interest. ''I don't think anyone in
the newspaper industry could accept there was not a conflict there,''
added Mr Cassidy.
Mr Enos denied Mr Laird had told him about the free newspapers when
they were at a cricket club together last year.
The tribunal heard former colleagues had written to Mr Laird saying
they were ''shocked and saddened'' at his sudden departure.
Mr Laird, 43, of Julian Court, Kelvinside, Glasgow, wants his job
back.
The hearing continues.
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