A former IT project manager is suing Perot Systems for £10
million in England's High Court, claiming that a damning reference
from the global consultancy founded by former presidential
candidate Ross Perot cost him his job at Deutsche Bank, according
to reports by The Times and ZDNet.co.uk.
It appears that Michael Johnson was dismissed by the Bank in
2001 because of the reference. He first brought an unfair dismissal
action against the Bank – but lost his claim because the tribunal
decided that the Bank acted properly on the basis of the reference.
According to Johnson, he did not know about the reference until the
tribunal action. He then decided to sue Perot Systems.
A former colleague at Perot Systems, Simon Hull, wrote in the
reference for Deutsche Bank that working with Johnson was "the most
horrendous episode that I have ever experienced in my working
life." The reference also alleged that Johnson had been "kicked
out" from another bank for obtaining a mortgage fraudulently. Hull
is named as a co-defendant.
Any reference which suggests misconduct or lack of professional
competence is potentially defamatory. A well-known US example
involved a case against Diana Ross in which the singer was found
liable for defamation after writing a reference for a former
assistant which stated: "If I let an employee go, it's because
either their work or their personal habits are not acceptable to
me."
Michael Johnson's hearing is expected later this year.
