Paul Steele says he will starve himself to clear his name after he was accused of theft from an Edinburgh charity
A charity worker sacked for theft is to go on hunger strike in a bid to clear his name.
Paul Steele, who was employed part-time by Edinburgh charity Ace IT, says the episode has left him feeling suicidal as well as penniless after Jobcentre staff sanctioned him as a result of the sacking.
He says he is relying on handouts and loans from friends just to survive and now fears he will lose his rented accommodation.
Steele was dismissed by the charity last month after being accused of a night-time break in which saw the theft of an IPad.
I’ve been left with worse than nothing. With theft allegations hanging over me, I may never be able to work again
Paul Steele
Despite never being questioned by police, the charity worker was hauled before a disciplinary committee two days later and sacked.
Although Steele had volunteered with the organisation since early 2000 when it was first established, he had been formally employed for less than two years, negating his right to have his case heard at a tribunal.
He now says he will begin a hunger strike on 6 April unless Ace IT retracts allegations against him and publicly issues a statement confirming this.
Steele told TFN: “I’ve been left with worse than nothing. With theft allegations hanging over me, I may never be able to work again.
“It’s just been a nightmare. Someone at the charity wanted me out and used this excuse to do so.
“Being sacked for theft, for a break-in, is ludicrous. The organisation knows it has went against procedure in doing this.
“I just want my name cleared.”
Ace IT was launched 2001 as Age Concern Edinburgh Information Technology and became one of the central providers of community-based computer training in the Edinburgh area.
The average age of each learner is 75 years old and to date over 6,000 older people have benefited from its training courses.
Jenny Ridge, chief executive of Ace IT, confirmed Steele was dismissed for theft following the break-in and that she stood by the sacking.
She told TFN: “It is unfortunate it has come to this but we are confident we have followed due process and taken lawyers’ advice throughout.
“We were involved with police and although there was insufficient evidence for an arrest, we were advised by our lawyers there was enough evidence to dismiss Mr Steele.
“That is the basis for his dismissal. We have known Paul for many years and we didn’t take this decision lightly.”
Police Scotland confirmed there had been a report of a break in at the premises but the employee had not been questioned.
Steele added: “I’ve never felt so low in all my adult life. One unsubstantiated allegation has ruined me and now I’m trying to figure out how I can survive without money and no hope of employment.”
