London Underground whistleblower wins unfair dismissal case -

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June 25, 2026

London Underground whistleblower wins unfair dismissal case

A London Underground worker who made several protected disclosures about health and safety in London tube stations was unfairly dismissed, an employment tribunal has ruled.

London Central tribunal heard disclosures from the whistleblower, Micky Steeds, a skilled vents worker, regarding failed face-fitting tests (for respirator masks), illegal dumping of hazardous waste, and dangerous working practices that he believed exposed him, his colleagues, and Tube users to asbestos and other toxic materials present in the underground network.

The full judgment has not yet been published. The tribunal found that the evidence presented by London Underground “fell short of demonstrating compliance on all occasions. The failure to dispose of hazardous waste appropriately may give rise to criminal and civil liability.”

After Mr Steeds made his disclosures in 2023, London Underground told him either to return to work, in what he was concerned were dangerous conditions, or be dismissed. The tribunal found that this was an “unfair and unjustifiable ultimatum” and that he was unfairly dismissed.

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Chevan Ilangaratne, counsel for Mr Steeds, described the decision to dismiss Mr Steeds as exceptionally hasty and harsh.

He argued that Mr Steeds had raised legitimate, public interest concerns relating to inadequate personal protective equipment, and exposure to potentially hazardous materials onsite, and had been treated badly by London Underground as a result. Ilangaratne said the effect of this treatment was to silence Mr Steeds.

The tribunal judge ruled that even if the disclosures were not the principal reason for his dismissal, the “total failure of the respondent to follow its own procedure rendered it substantially and procedurally unfair.”

Rather than engaging with the serious disclosures he was making, London Underground dismissed him. The tribunal called this the “antithesis of a fair approach”.

Mr Steeds said the judgment “felt like a complete vindication of raising the serious safety concerns at London Underground” and that navigating this process had been incredibly gruelling and exhausting. He thanked former colleague Rob Donnan, who lost his job as well for raising the same concerns. Mr Donnan’s claim for unfairly dismissal and of being subjected to detriment for making a protected disclosure was dismissed by an employment tribunal in September 2025.

Mr Steeds said: “No worker with concerns should ever have to choose between protecting the public interest and their own livelihood.”

Michael Ballantyne, solicitor for Mr Steeds, said: “This case is a reminder of the stigma whistleblowers still face. Mr Steeds was viewed as a troublemaker from the start and expected to fall in line. When he stood his ground, London Underground closed ranks and Mr Steeds was given an ultimatum – either retract his disclosures, or be fired. I’m glad to see the tribunal agreed this was unreasonable and unjustified. This is an important win for whistleblowers and a good lesson for employers.”

The case will now proceed to a remedy hearing.

London Underground has been contacted for a comment.