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.