Marks & Spencer "whistleblower" dismissed

The GMB legal officer who represented the member of staff at a hearing on Monday, Maria Ludkin, claimed that M&S is "more concerned about maintaining a repressive regime" than promoting discussion.

"Make no mistake this is a gross act of corporate bullying. GMB will be appealing against this decision in the internal procedures and will launch a public campaign," she said.

M&S stood by its decision and contended that the employee had broken rules and leaked private information.

"We would never take a decision like this lightly," a spokeswoman said.