Labour candidate Steph Booth accused of tantrums, teaching while unqualified and plotting against rival

Wednesday, 20 January 2010

The Labour candidate for Calder Valley at the next General Election admits to teaching without being qualified.

Yesterday, the Halifax Courier reported: "Mrs Booth, of Todmorden, told the Manchester hearing she had no formal teaching qualifications but had experience as a supply teacher."

Mrs Booth, stepmother to Cherie Blair, has taken her former employer, Cool UK to an Employment Tribunal in Manchester. She alleges she was discredited by company boss Gareth Binding after making complaints over working practices, breach of contract and victimisation.

According to today's Daily Mirror, the Tribunal was told that "Cherie Blair's stepmum used to throw tantrums and yell at children's charity colleagues. Steph Booth was rude, bossy and had a 'superior attitude' - and also name-dropped her famous relatives, it was told."

The Mirror also reports Cool UK boss Gareth Binding "asked about her Criminal Records Bureau check. 'She said because of her relatives she'd received clearance at the highest level and scoffed at the idea,' added Mr Binding. And she asked, 'Would you like me to ask Tony or Cherie to verify who I am?' "

Mrs Booth is claiming unfair dismissal, breach of contract and suffering detriment or dismissal due to exercising her rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act and on health and safety grounds.

Today's Yorkshire Post says that Gareth Binding told the tribunal in Manchester one member of staff had told him he had been "coerced" by Mrs Booth into writing derogatory remarks about a local Labour Party rival on a website. This is a reference to remarks made against Hebden Bridge Town Councillor Janet Oosthuysen who was subsequently not endorsed Labour's National Executive as Labour's choice for the Calder Valley Parliamentary seat.

The Halifax Courier today reports Gareth Binding saying that her poor attitude and rudeness led to staff questioning her teaching ability. 'She was known to scream at staff, putting them down on a daily basis'.

The hearing continues.