Dismissed employee agrees settlement in 'green' case

A worker who was preparing to sue his employer for discriminating against his environmental views has agreed a settlement of £42,000 plus legal costs of around £12,000. Tim Nicholson, 42, was made redundant in July 2008 from his £77,000-a-year post as head of sustainability with Grainger, the UK's biggest residential landlord.

He alleged that his redundancy was a direct result of his opinions about the dangers of climate change, which put him at odds with other senior executives within the firm, and was preparing to sue. Last year, a judge, in a landmark decision, ruled that his belief in climate change was legally akin to a religious belief and should be protected from discrimination.

Mr Nicholson, who worked in the firm's office in Putney, south-west London, demanded £756,615 in compensation, primarily for loss of earnings and pension rights. He said executives had failed to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

Mr Nicholson's solicitor, Shah Qureshi, issued an agreed statement from the parties that said: "Grainger plc and Tim Nicholson are pleased to confirm that the tribunal proceedings between the two parties have been resolved amicably. Grainger denied that Mr Nicholson's views were the reason why he was made redundant and cited 'operational needs'."