AN IT worker has claimed that he was unfairly dismissed by a legal firm run by his own mother.

Oliver Clark was left feeling “hurt and bewildered” by senior managing director Alison Lee’s treatment towards him after he was allegedly dismissed on the spot from Biscoes Solicitors.

The GMB union said that Mr Clark had been employed by the Portsmouth firm for four years and was days away from completing a two-year apprenticeship when he was let go without warning, explanation and without legal obligations being followed.

He alleges daily bullying and discriminatory behaviour towards him beforehand.

His mother, Alison Lee, acts as complaints director and the firm’s compliance officer for legal practice, according to the firm, which strenuously denies his claims.

GMB regional organiser Nicola Nixon said that she was shocked to find out one of the senior managing directors was, in fact, the dismissed member’s mother. 

“This process has left our member feeling hurt and bewildered that his own mother could treat him in this manner.”

GMB said that Mr Clark tried to appeal against the decision to dismiss and raise multiple grievances but failed after being put under pressure from the firm to withdraw them.

The union also alleged that Biscoes breached Mr Clark’s data protection rights by sharing his information with a third party without his consent.

A statement on the firm’s website said: “Regarding an ex-employee, the allegations are strenuously denied and we await notification of the tribunal proceedings.”

Ms Lee spent 25 years practising family law and is also a director at the non-profit organisation Shaping Portsmouth and a trustee of the Portsmouth charity Pompey in the Community.