A DUDLEY classic car parts manager complained he was unfairly dismissed after being accused of breaching company policy by offering a personal contract to a contact over a vehicle panel.

Kevin Reid, of London Fields, was alleged to have breached the trust and confidence of the award winning Classic Motor Cars Ltd of Shropshire.

The firm’s managing director Nick Goldthorp told Birmingham Employment Tribunal in a statement that his firm was formed in 1993 and was one of the world’s leading restoration firms of classic Jaguar cars.

Mr Reid made legal claims against his former employers for unfair dismissal and breach of contract after accusing the firm of failing to carry out a full investigation into the situation.

The tribunal was told that restoration work on a Jaguar E Type Roadster had been delayed for the want of a panel.

Mr Reid, who had been employed by the firm for two years, was accused offering a personal contract to a contact in America involving the panel.

Mr Goldthrop said Mr Reid should not have made the offer and breached the company’s trust and confidence by doing so.

The contact had previously brought in £200,000 worth of business for the firm, said Mr Goldthorp in his statement.

Mr Reid said restoration work on the car was two months behind schedule and said he had done what he could to carry out the work on time.

The respondents said Mr Reid was suspended and eventually dismissed for gross misconduct although he denied the “gross” allegation.

Mr Reid claimed had expected to be disciplined or even demoted, but not dismissed, he said: “They over re-acted – they wanted me out.”

The tribunal was told that Mr Reid had already been given a warning after taking a holiday, allegedly, without authorisation.

Tribunal judge Nina Choudry said she would make a decision at a later date.

Mr Goldthorp said in his statement that his firm was granted a gold award in 2011 by the International Historic Motor Awards.

Mr Reid said after the hearing that he now had another job as a mechanic.