Finn Russell's dad wins case against Scottish Rugby Union

The father of Scotland star Finn Russell has won an unfair dismissal case that he brought against the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) it is being reported.

Keith Russell successfully brought legal proceeding against the SRU after he was dismissed from his position as Director of Domestic Rugby.

Having been appointed in the role in 2015, Russell was dismissed from the role in 2017, a dismissal that has now found to be “both procedurally and substantively unfair”.

According The Offside Line website Russell was offered a settlement by the SRU, which he refused in favour of pursuing an unfair dismissal claim against his former employers.

In an interview with the The Offside Line Russell said he wanted the manner in which the SRU treat employees to be made public and for the organisation to effectively mend its ways.

He says he had been forwarned before joining the organisation.

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“Everyone I spoke to in different agencies told me it was a bit of a nightmare organisation. I was kind of aware of that. But I thought I’d changed dramatically what happens in Stirling [local authority], changed dramatically what happens in Glasgow, so here’s another 10 years to make a difference.”

Russell says that after two years on the job that he was called to a meeting in early 2017 in which he was shocked to be told by SRU Chief Executive Mark Dodson that if he ‘wished to move’ on that he could ‘write him a cheque’ now.

A second meeting was held on 19th May – four months later – in which Russell was summarily dismissed. He was not afforded an opportunity to mount a defence to his sacking. The SRU cited that there had not been sufficient progress.

The judge presiding over the case this week found in favour of Russell, saying that the SRU evidence regarding Russell’s inability to do his job was largely based on opinion and not fact.

“On the evidence presented I was unable to find in fact that the respondent employer honestly and reasonably held belief that the claimant was not competent nor, and equally importantly, that there was a reasonable ground for that belief as at the time of dismissal.”

Regarding Russell’s evidence the Judge said: “I found the claimant’s evidence to be both credible and reliable.”

According to the BBC, the SRU stated following in relation to the decision: “Scottish Rugby acknowledges the outcome of the tribunal and, while there are some areas of the ruling it disagrees with, there will not be an appeal.

“We will now be reviewing the judgement in detail and working with Mr Russell to conclude the process.

“Scottish Rugby stands by its decision to change the leadership of the domestic rugby department given the fundamental importance this area of the sport plays in all aspects of game in Scotland.”