Accountant takes union rep to court over airport closure

AN ACCOUNTANT has begun a legal battle against a union official he claims is responsible for instigating firefighter action that closed the airport.

Anthony Hopkins, 61, pictured, has taken Unite's regional representative Ron Le Cras to the Petty Debts Court in an attempt to reclaim the £385 he says he and his wife lost when a lack of fire cover closed the airport during the May bank holiday weekend in 2008.

He told the court that firefighters had a duty of care to the travelling public and, as the union represents the men, it should be held accountable for their walkout. He believed the men were acting under advice from Mr Le Cras.

The case was adjourned until next month.

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