The Onchan Commissioners clerk dismissed without notice is accused of failing to give proper advice or follow instructions.

Michael Morrison was told his employment was being terminated with immediate effect following an emergency board meeting held in private on August 21.

He claims he has been treated unfairly and intends to take legal action.

A letter sent to him by Commissioners chairman Anthony Allen, which has been posted on social media, sets out the reasons for Mr Morrison’s dismissal after less than a year in post.

It states: ’The reason for the dismissal is the lack of trust and confidence in you as clerk based on your failure to give proper advice to the board, follow instructions from the board and the disruption caused by you working contrary to the board to such an extent that the employment relationship had irretrievably broken down.’

It adds: ’The board has carefully considered the weight of the evidence and concluded that you have failed to perform your duties in the manner required.’

The letter informs Mr Morrison he is entitled to three months’ notice but that in the circumstances, the requirement to work that notice period was being waived.

Instead, he was told the Commissioners would make a payment in lieu of notice together with a payment for any holiday entitlement accrued but not taken.

The letter warns: ’Please note that you remain bound by the implied confidentiality provisions of your employment after your dismissal.’

When contacted, Mr Morrison said he had been advised not to comment as the matter is now being considered by legal advisers to both parties and he remains on medical leave.

But in a statement issued shortly after his dismissal, he said he had been offered a ’substantial sum’ to say he had resigned.

He wrote: ’It would appear the undue haste in arranging the board meeting was to ensure it occurred without additional employment rights being gained. This type of human resources practice whilst legally correct shows the board in a poor light.

’Since I started at Onchan District Commissioners, I have had no formal complaints made about my ways of working, there has never been allegations of fraud or poor performance.’