A former employee of the Kent Messenger Group who claimed she was unfairly dismissed has lost her case at an employment tribunal.

Amanda Fisher, who worked for the media group as a writer and sub-editor at its headquarters in Larkfield, claimed she was dismissed as a result of “whistleblowing” because she had raised concerns about professional training and health and safety.

She told an industrial tribunal that she had raised several concerns over 18 months about a sub-editors’ course she was on, and the way it was run. She also claimed her wages had been unfairly deducted.

The Kent Messenger Group contested her allegations, saying it appointed an external investigator to look into her complaints in October 2003.

Amanda joined the Kent Messenger Group in August 2000 as a trainee sub-editor and subsequently joined the group features department, writing for many of the company’s titles.

She alleged that she was the victim of a “prolonged campaign of bullying and harassment” by senior colleagues.

She once received a dead mouse in the post. Four months after that she removed herself from the workplace on her doctor’s advice and in June 2004 was dismissed.

The tribunal heard evidence from Amanda herself, news editor Deborah Penn, director/general manager Geraldine Allinson and editorial director Simon Irwin, as well as other key staff.

In her evidence, Geraldine had said the decision to dismiss the claimant was made only after it became clear she would no longer be able to work with [senior editor] Andy Rayfield, Deborah Penn and Debbie Eales [group magazines editor].

She had told the hearing: “I did not want to part company with any staff but I simply could not see a way for the claimant to return to work without losing Andy Rayfield, Deborah Penn or Debbie Eales.”

Deborah Penn told the tribunal how after a good start to their working relationship, things became tense over time with the claimant.

She said: “It was not pleasant working with her. To be quite honest she’s claiming bullying but I feel I am the one who was bullied.”

She said that one one occasion, in the company canteen, a verbal attack was launched on her by the claimant.

She said: “It still gives me nightmares. I have never been subject to such vitriolic hatred in all my life and I just hope I am not again. She said to me ‘I loathe and despise you’ and she said it with such venom in her voice and her eyes were narrowed. I can see it now.”

The Ashford tribunal announced yesterday it was dismissing all of Amanda Fisher’s allegations. She had been seeking reinstatement.

The full reasons behind the ruling are expected to be released at the start of September.

Editorial director Simon Irwin said: “I am disappointed that this case was ever brought to tribunal but am delighted that the Kent Messenger Group has been vindicated.”