The Apprentice winner Stella English loses dismissal claim against Alan Sugar
The Apprentice winner Stella English has lost her claim of constructive dismissal against Armshold Group Ltd, owned by Alan Sugar.
English had described her £100,000 contact with Sugar as "a sham", saying her position was that of an "overpaid lackey."
She went on to suggest that she was forced to quit her job when the contract was not renewed.
However, the tribunal sided unanimously with Lord Sugar, finding that there was no dismissal of English- she resigned- and that there were no grounds for the complaint of automatically unfair constructive dismissal.
Sugar said in a statement following the tribunal: "I am pleased that the tribunal has returned this verdict and feel vindicated in the judgement that myself, my companies, the BBC, the TV production company and my staff acted properly throughout Ms English's employment.
"There was never a case for us to answer but her need for money and fame meant that the whole system was subjected to this charade. I have been cleared of a derisory attempt to smear my name and extract money from me."
He continued: "The allegations were without substance, and I believe this case was brought with one intention in mind - the presumption that I would not attend the tribunal, that I would not testify and that I would settle out-of-court, sending Ms English on her way with a tidy settlement.
"I'm afraid she underestimated me and her reputation is now in tatters. I have principles and I am not going to be forced to compromise them, no matter how much time and money they might cost me."