THE final decision to close the Guernsey branch of the NSPCC was made before the end of a consultation process to decide its future, it was claimed at an employment tribunal.

The panel heard that the charity invited submissions from staff, service users and others during a one-month period in 2009 as part of the process to decide on whether to follow a recommendation to close the centre.

Advocate Simon Geall, representing Mick Dunbar, Rosalyn Priaulx, Julie Bowditch and Alison Wakefield, said the consultation process was a sham and claimed alternatives to closing the branch were never properly considered.

Assistant director for Midlands and the West, including the Channel Islands, Philip Durban helped carry out the consultation and under cross examination by Advocate Geall said the response from the staff was detailed and well considered.

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