BSA pays cash settlement to sacked director
A BITTER dispute which sent shock waves through surfing’s national governing body ended yesterday in Truro with an out-of-court cash settlement to the sacked national director.
Karen Walton, who lives in Penzance, said she was ‘relieved’ after winning undisclosed damages from the British Surfing Association (BSA) - a deal which headed off a costly and potentially embarrassing four-day employment tribunal.
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Karen Walton
London barristers hired by both sides came to an 11th hour agreement ahead of the hearing in Truro which guaranteed compensation, though without any admission of liability.
The deal completed a torrid 18 months, which had seen a tearful Mrs Walton thrown out of the BSA’s Newquay headquarters and locks at the beachfront offices changed.
Speaking afterwards at Pydar House, Mrs Walton said: “I am relieved - it has been an extremely difficult time and I am glad that it is finally over.”
She revealed that the arrangement was not subject to a confidentiality clause, but said she wanted to wait ‘until the dust settled’ before commenting further.
The controversy stems from a dispute between the BSA and the British Professional Surfing Association (BPSA), who operated from offices at opposite ends of the world renowned Fistral Beach.
The BSA felt that there was confusion between itself and the BPSA, a private company which ran a UK professional surf tour, which was denying the governing body much-needed sponsorship.
Mrs Walton, who was accused of acting like a renegade, demanded that the BPSA relinquish its name.
She then shocked the surfing world in April 2007 when she announced that the rival bodies had merged.
The claim left many in the industry, including members of the own executive committee, bewildered.
Mrs Walton was then suspended and an attempt was made to dismiss her with immediate effect at an extraordinary general meeting of the BSA in June.
But the proposal was taken off the agenda after a disciplinary hearing failed to go ahead and she remained in her position.
The row was re-ignited in November 2008 when it was announced that the BSA had ‘parted company’ with Mrs Walton but would not divulge reasons for the dismissal.
Mrs Walton was left in tears after being forcibly removed from her office in a row between executive members which led to locks being changed.
Police were called after an altercation at the headquarters when she turned up for work the following day.
A grievance hearing held by an independent adjudicator ruled in Mrs Walton's favour and concluded that she had been unfairly treated.
But the BSA refused to accept the findings and the matter was set to be decided this week by a tribunal.
The panel of three judges were set to consider string of allegations against the BSA, including breach of contract, sexual discrimination, unfair dismissal and issues around working conditions and holidays.
But any further damage to the governing body was avoided on Monday when the agreement was signed.
Directors of the BSA, including Mark Wesson, attended the tribunal but declined to comment afterwards.
A legal representative for the BSA said the agreement was ‘compensation without admission of liability’.
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by bemused, Sennen
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 3:01PM
“Here's a quote from the minutes of the 2009 BSA AGM, it was made by Kevin Cook who has been masquerading as Chairman of the BSA for the last 12 months since being handed the job by Mark Wesson. Ready¿.. ¿KC clarified that the BSA would not miss-spend BSA funds unless absolutely necessary¿ [sic]¿¿.. Talk about lunatics taking over the asylum!!!!”
by member, sennen
Friday, February 12 2010, 1:26PM
“I've just been on the BSA's website and it appears the people who did the unfair dismissing and sexual discrimination (the no liability bit doesn't wash - they've had to pay thousands in compensation and fees because they are guilty) are volunteers who claim to be acting in the interests of others. This is tantamount to saying that all British surfers are sexist bullies. If the BSA wants to salvage a shred of integrity it has to expel the wrongdoers and reinstate Karen Walton - who it seems did nothing wrong.”
by I'm so Angry, Praa Sands
Thursday, February 11 2010, 4:16PM
“Well that just says it all really doesn't it ! Have you read the whitewash 'Statement' on the Britsurf Website ?
Please, committee members, don't continue to insult everyone's intelligence like this. Do you really think we buy the argument that you've spent every last penny of the tens of thousands involved just to benefit us all, and 'protect our interests' ? Protect your own backs you mean! You really are behaving as if you're accountable to nothing and nobody.
How do we vote you out ? How do we make a vote of No Confidence ? How do we stop you manipulating everything so shamelessly ?”
by Member, Porthtowan
Thursday, February 11 2010, 1:38PM
“I think the members who are now speaking out are certainly in possession of the facts - facts that both the Exec and Ms Walton have both tried to keep hidden for years.
Let's hope it's the dawn of a new, and more open era.
Facts first, on the table, then an Election, properly conducted - not the 'set up' that's presently running, which might look legitimate, but believe me, certainly isn't.
When we have some people in charge who have put themselves forward in a considered way, when the process has been advertised widely, and when the members have voted for who they really want to be in charge, then,- and only then - can we move on, support long suffering staff, and make some real and long overdue progress.”
by Disappointed, Cornwall
Thursday, February 11 2010, 1:28PM
“Pity then that the AGM was organised by this Exec at the last possible minute, for the saturday night just before Christmas, in a remote rural location that was difficult for anyone to access without a car, and on a freezing dark night at a pressured time of year.
It was not advertised or promoted anywhere beyond a last minute byline on the web, and as a result, it was attended by three men and a dog. Co-incidence ? I don't think so. Deliberate ? For sure. Was Accounting information presented ? A few copies were at the Meeting relating to the previous Financial Year, but these were taken away, and then not published on the internet with the Minutes of the Meeting.
Cover up ? I think so. Why ? Because this 'settlement' for Karen Walton is probably going to render the BSA insolvent, and any of its last resources have been spent by Mr Wesson and his committee on legal battles, for which they had no 'authority', and which in some respects were levelled at them personally. Is this a legitimate use of Members funds ? I don't think so.
Are we going to have any feedback from the Exec about where they propose to go from here ? Do they think that they're accountable to anyone but themselves?”