The Kent Messenger has withdrawn an application for costs against a former employee who brought a tribunal case against the newspaper.

Journalist Amanda Fisher alleged unfair dismissal at a hearing in May last year.

The case was eventually dismissed in October following a reserved decision. She is now appealing to the Employment Appeal Tribunal against the finding.

Her solicitor, Tony Bertin, said the costs demand was in excess of £75,000 and had been dropped due to a technicality.

He said: “We objected to the Kent Messenger’s application that on the basis as company’s representative, Employment Law Advantage, were not solicitors and also did not have the right to instruct counsel on the original hearing and therefore had no right to ask for its costs.

“The Kent Messenger decided not to challenge these assertions before the tribunal last week and withdrew its costs application.”

The company’s editorial director Simon Irwin said: “Due to a legal technicality, the request for costs incurred during the Kent Messenger Group’s successful defence of Amanda Fisher’s claims at her employment tribunal were withdrawn.

“However, the company may still continue to seek compensation.”

Amanda’s appeal against the tribunal decision continues.

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

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