We wish to protest at the decision by Barts Health Trust to sack Charlotte Monro, an occupational therapist and trade union representative at Whipps Cross hospital in East London, after 26 years unblemished service.

We do not accept the trust’s claim that Charlotte was sacked for failing to disclose previous criminal convictions, dating back to the 1970s. She had disclosed these several months before her sacking, and no action of any kind was taken at the time. Indeed they were not part of the original accusations against her, which related entirely to her activity as a trade union representative. We believe that this accusation was dredged up to bolster a flimsy case.

We have a government which is determined to privatise and destroy the health service we have had since 1948.

In order to make what has been a public service profitable for its wealthy friends, the government wants to run down the service and cut the salaries, pensions and working conditions of health workers. Conscientious trade unionists, such as Charlotte, stand in their way.

We believe that Barts Health Trust sacked her to remove an obstacle to their plans and intimidate other staff who might speak out.

We call for her reinstatement.

Derrick Hibbett - on behalf of Waltham Forest Left Unity