SENIOR local government officer David Long, who lost his job as part of a major cost-cutting exercise, is taking his employers to a tribunal for unfair dismissal.

SENIOR local government officer David Long, who lost his job as part of a major cost-cutting exercise, is taking his employers to a tribunal for unfair dismissal.

The former member and central services manager is alleging unfair dismissal against the Liberal Democrat/Labour run Mid Suffolk District Council after he lost his job along with senior colleagues – including five heads of department –as the authority strove to save money.

The council is discussing the case behind closed doors next week ahead of the two-day hearing in May, but the authority's chief executive said they expect to come to an amicable agreement and the case may not go that far.

Roger Saunders, leader of the large Conservative Group at the district council, said: "He has filed a case alleging unfair dismissal and the matter is with the tribunal service. That is public knowledge.

"I can confirm there is a problem, or an alleged problem, between the council and David Long, but any more I can't comment on at the moment.

"It is being discussed at the next executive meeting and has to be treated as confidential.''

The authority's Executive is due to debate the case behind closed doors in their Needham Market chambers on Monday.

A spokeswoman for the Employment Tribunal service said they could not disclose details of the case until shortly before the hearing.

But she confirmed that Mr Long's case is currently due to be heard by a tribunal at Bury St Edmunds over two days, from 10am on May 9 through to May 10.