Good morning and welcome to Day 2 Session 1 of Morrison v Belfast Film Festival at Killymeal House in Belfast. It is raining. 🧵 
We were due to start at 10am this morning, but the Employment Judge wants to speak to the parties before Sara Morrison (SM)'s cross-examination (xe) continues this morning after her half hour stint in the chair yesterday afternoon.
SM is expected to be giving evidence all day. She making a claim against Belfast Film Festival (BFF) for constructive dismissal and discrimination. For more background to the case, please read this long piece here:
orgenderblog.net/sara-morrison-…
orgenderblog.net/sara-morrison-…
... (unless I get another commission) will be crowdfunded. Contributors will be subscribed to my GenderBlog newsletter. Every night this week I will write a summary of what happens in court. Please consider signing up with a one-off donation:
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Please note: NOTHING I TWEET IS A VERBATIM RECORD. IT IS A CHARACTERISATION OR SUMMARY OF WHAT IS BEING SAID OR HAPPENING. NOTHING IS A DIRECT QUOTE UNLESS IT IS IN "DIRECT QUOTES"
There's a trade off between getting a few quotes down correctly, and doing a blow-by-blow summary. Live tweeting lends itself to blow-by-blow. Ideally write ups after the event will have direct quotes. Doing both is tricky, to say the least. People talk fast, here, too.
Hopefully we'll be going in soon.
This is SM arriving this morning
Part of SM's legal team, Naomi Cunningham and Charlotte Elves, followed by Fiona McAnena (@DerryBanShee)
@DerryBanShee Rude wall marking (or political statement - who knows?), which has appeared overnight.
@DerryBanShee And here is some of BFF's legal team
@DerryBanShee With Barrister Sean Doherty (SD) arriving separately. He will be asking SM the questions this morning.
Okay we're in court, with everyone reading, just waiting for Employment Judge Lisa Sturgeon and her panel to enter court. Panel members are Professor Deborah Boyd and Michael McKeown.
Court is sitting. SM takes the witness chair. Judge warns witness not to discuss evidence with anyone. Says "consequences could be dire" including contempt of court. "It could have serious consequences for this case."
SD good morning SM - could we turn to p291 of the bundle. Tweet by Michele Devlin (MD - CEO of BFF) - about Good Friday Agreement even and other people responded to her about your appearance at the Let Women Speak (LWS) event.
SD takes SM to a "perrycombover" tweet we looked at yesterday. MD decided that in the response to her tweet she decided to hide her tweet. MD was "quite taken aback" by discovering SM had appeared at LWS.
SD MD says your "GC views were well known within the office"
SM no
SD MD says your "GC views were well known within the office"
SM no
SD she says she discussed them with you in a pub
SM no
SD you went to a screening of Adult Human Female with MD
SM no she wasn't there
SM no
SD you went to a screening of Adult Human Female with MD
SM no she wasn't there
SD MD says you saw a trans woman and made a noise "Ergh!"
SM no
SD and that you said "I can't look at it"
SM [laughs] no!
SM no
SD and that you said "I can't look at it"
SM [laughs] no!
[SD is taking SM through MD's statement]
SD you allege she asked you if you would share a toilet with a trans woman
SM no
SD what about a conversation about whether you would be prepared to share a gender neutral toilet
SM don't recall it but it may have happened.
SD you allege she asked you if you would share a toilet with a trans woman
SM no
SD what about a conversation about whether you would be prepared to share a gender neutral toilet
SM don't recall it but it may have happened.
SD did you have a discussion about doing a production with a company called Kabosh about a trans woman
SM yes
SD doesn't that mean she was aware of your views
SM yes she was by that stage as it was after the LWS event
SM yes
SD doesn't that mean she was aware of your views
SM yes she was by that stage as it was after the LWS event
SD how would I feel if my daughter was in a changing room and looked up to see a "big erect penis"
SM it's the Helen Staniland question
SD "did you use the term "erect penis""
SM no
SD so MD is "just making that up then"?
SM yes
SD that's something the tribunal will have...
SM it's the Helen Staniland question
SD "did you use the term "erect penis""
SM no
SD so MD is "just making that up then"?
SM yes
SD that's something the tribunal will have...
... to decide.
[SD moves on to a note written by MD recording a timeline of events from her perspective - GFA tweet, LWS event, convo with three people criticising SM's attendance, calling it anti-trans and far-right]
[SD moves on to a note written by MD recording a timeline of events from her perspective - GFA tweet, LWS event, convo with three people criticising SM's attendance, calling it anti-trans and far-right]
[This is it: "A Board meeting took place on 04 May 2023. Board member Lucy Baxter (Queen’s
University Belfast) had arrived on the Zoom late, the meeting was concluding as she
arrived. Lucy raised that she had been aware from a number of her colleagues that the
Claimant had attended and addressed the Let Women Speak rally. She asked whether
the rally had been discussed with the rest of the Board as an item on the agenda - I
told her it had not. Lucy expressed concern that it would negatively impact on the
organisation and could have implications for our reputation. I was a little frustrated that
Lucy hadn’t rang or emailed me in advance to discuss this, as I would have then put it
on the agenda for that meeting. I was very busy at that time and my key focus was
the successful delivery of the Docs Ireland festival. I formally followed the issue up with
Co-Chairpersons of the Board, Lisa Barros D’Sa and Marie-Therese McGivern by
email on 05 May 2023 (please see email correspondence at pages2A^.rtl-D.S..of the
Hearing Bundle). I sent them both a link to the video of the Claimant's speech at the
rally."]
University Belfast) had arrived on the Zoom late, the meeting was concluding as she
arrived. Lucy raised that she had been aware from a number of her colleagues that the
Claimant had attended and addressed the Let Women Speak rally. She asked whether
the rally had been discussed with the rest of the Board as an item on the agenda - I
told her it had not. Lucy expressed concern that it would negatively impact on the
organisation and could have implications for our reputation. I was a little frustrated that
Lucy hadn’t rang or emailed me in advance to discuss this, as I would have then put it
on the agenda for that meeting. I was very busy at that time and my key focus was
the successful delivery of the Docs Ireland festival. I formally followed the issue up with
Co-Chairpersons of the Board, Lisa Barros D’Sa and Marie-Therese McGivern by
email on 05 May 2023 (please see email correspondence at pages2A^.rtl-D.S..of the
Hearing Bundle). I sent them both a link to the video of the Claimant's speech at the
rally."]
["Further, in my email to Marie-Therese and Lisa on 05 May 2023,1 also raised concerns
regarding a meeting I had attended on 05 May 2023 with Pedro Donald, owner of the
Sunflower Pub. Pedro Donald has been a sponsor of the Respondent for many years.
Pedro had said to me 'What is going on with Sara Morrison?’ He raised that a number
of people had said to him. ‘What is the BFF Inclusion Officer doing speaking at a rally
with this far right wing crowd?' He added that the reputation of the Respondent as a
progressive LGBTQ supportive organisation was at risk. I expressed my intention to
contact the Equality Commission for some guidance and also to read through our
policies. Marie-Therese responded on that same date supporting my suggestions,"]
regarding a meeting I had attended on 05 May 2023 with Pedro Donald, owner of the
Sunflower Pub. Pedro Donald has been a sponsor of the Respondent for many years.
Pedro had said to me 'What is going on with Sara Morrison?’ He raised that a number
of people had said to him. ‘What is the BFF Inclusion Officer doing speaking at a rally
with this far right wing crowd?' He added that the reputation of the Respondent as a
progressive LGBTQ supportive organisation was at risk. I expressed my intention to
contact the Equality Commission for some guidance and also to read through our
policies. Marie-Therese responded on that same date supporting my suggestions,"]
[We go to MD's recollection of Mark Cousins phone call after what SM calls a "two minute" conversation in a pub."]
"I received a
phone call from Mark Cousins, Board Member, notifying me of a discussion he had
with the Claimant in the Sunflower Pub. He informed that the Claimant had raised the
subject of her speech at the Let Women Speak event and that he had closed off the
discussion, as they were surrounded by festival guests at the time."
SM says she finds this all blown out of proportion and one of the most distressing things
SD was it appropriate to speak to him then at a BFF event
SM it was not a BFF event
SD it was a docs ireland event
SM it was after the event
SD why not speak to him in the office
SM he's never really about
"I received a
phone call from Mark Cousins, Board Member, notifying me of a discussion he had
with the Claimant in the Sunflower Pub. He informed that the Claimant had raised the
subject of her speech at the Let Women Speak event and that he had closed off the
discussion, as they were surrounded by festival guests at the time."
SM says she finds this all blown out of proportion and one of the most distressing things
SD was it appropriate to speak to him then at a BFF event
SM it was not a BFF event
SD it was a docs ireland event
SM it was after the event
SD why not speak to him in the office
SM he's never really about
We go to Lawrence McKeown (board member's) witness statement (WS) where he says:
"When I watched the footage of the Claimant speaking at a public rally in Belfast, I was
extremely shocked that she had been publicly criticising, even vilifying, women’s
groups throughout the city who we had worked with for many years to build up good
relationships. My suggestion to Michele and the Board at the time was to immediately
remove the Claimant from any contact with these groups and from any public
engagement or pronouncement on behalf of the Respondent to allow things to cool
down.... The Claimant is entitled to her views, however; by criticising women's groups at the
Let Women Speak event, the Claimant did immense damage to the reputation of the
Respondent and to relationships between the Respondent and other organisations that
the Respondent works extensively with."
SD so you can see there...
"When I watched the footage of the Claimant speaking at a public rally in Belfast, I was
extremely shocked that she had been publicly criticising, even vilifying, women’s
groups throughout the city who we had worked with for many years to build up good
relationships. My suggestion to Michele and the Board at the time was to immediately
remove the Claimant from any contact with these groups and from any public
engagement or pronouncement on behalf of the Respondent to allow things to cool
down.... The Claimant is entitled to her views, however; by criticising women's groups at the
Let Women Speak event, the Claimant did immense damage to the reputation of the
Respondent and to relationships between the Respondent and other organisations that
the Respondent works extensively with."
SD so you can see there...
SD "you're absolutely entitled to your views"
SM "I'm just not allowed to say them out loud"
SD but wouldn't they alienate LGBT people
SM No - I consider myself more inclusive for accepting all views
SM "I'm just not allowed to say them out loud"
SD but wouldn't they alienate LGBT people
SM No - I consider myself more inclusive for accepting all views
[we have had a break as SM has had to run out - she sounded like she was crying. Judge and panel rose and left court. SM has returned in about 2 mins v composed. Judge returned in 5 mins SM apologised and we have restarted.]
SD takes her to a tweet which states that a community organisation is not going to work with BFF because of SM's anti-trans stance
SD is that what they're saying
SM i didn't mention trans people in my LWS once
SD but they are now saying they won't work with BFF
SM yes
SD is that what they're saying
SM i didn't mention trans people in my LWS once
SD but they are now saying they won't work with BFF
SM yes
[we go to the statement made to Queerspace about the investigation]
SD it doesn't mention you by name
SM I was the only full time member of staff
SD it doesn't say they're investigating anyone
SM but the only incident it can refer to is the LWS event
SD it doesn't mention you by name
SM I was the only full time member of staff
SD it doesn't say they're investigating anyone
SM but the only incident it can refer to is the LWS event
[we go to an email sent 4 July to MD]
"Hi Michele
As this was sent t o my personal email, I a m replying i n m y
personal capacity. I d o not need t o repeat what
QueerSpace and Outburst have articulated in their
respective emails to you.
Instead, I want to outline how your email sat with me.
When I received this email last night, m y initial reaction
was confusion, followed by hurt and frustration. I was also
surprised to see my personal email address shared i n
such a capacity and not in bcc...
"Hi Michele
As this was sent t o my personal email, I a m replying i n m y
personal capacity. I d o not need t o repeat what
QueerSpace and Outburst have articulated in their
respective emails to you.
Instead, I want to outline how your email sat with me.
When I received this email last night, m y initial reaction
was confusion, followed by hurt and frustration. I was also
surprised to see my personal email address shared i n
such a capacity and not in bcc...
It is no surprise t o you, t o know that a member of your
team holds, and publicly shares, negative opinions about
Trans people. To invite u s to co-create an event for Belfast
Pride with this team member, came a s quite a shock.
Trans rights is a central theme to the Pride celebrations
this year, and to invite trans inclusive organisations to
work with this individual, without addressing the very
public and very dangerous opinions she holds while in the
position of being your Inclusion Officer, is not something !
can be part o f or endorse."
team holds, and publicly shares, negative opinions about
Trans people. To invite u s to co-create an event for Belfast
Pride with this team member, came a s quite a shock.
Trans rights is a central theme to the Pride celebrations
this year, and to invite trans inclusive organisations to
work with this individual, without addressing the very
public and very dangerous opinions she holds while in the
position of being your Inclusion Officer, is not something !
can be part o f or endorse."
SD you will say that you didn't mention trans
SM I didn't
SD but you accept you have caused a problem for the BFF
SM "I am here for safeguarding women and children and I don't believe you can change sex" these people don't know my views they just started a campaign against me
SM I didn't
SD but you accept you have caused a problem for the BFF
SM "I am here for safeguarding women and children and I don't believe you can change sex" these people don't know my views they just started a campaign against me
[we go to another email:]
"Hello,
My name is Lola Petticrew. I a m an actor form Belfast. I took part i n
the Belfast film festival a few years ago with a film called a bump
along the way and I felt s o privileged to be able to take part in my
home towns film festival. Also safe.
I hope to continue to get to show work there i n the future. I love
making working at home and showing work a t home and all of the beautiful
things that make u p the film industry at home.
However i t has recently been brought to my attention that your inclusion
officer Sara Morrison spoke a t a transphobic rally which took place i n
Belfast. I t has also come to my attention that Belfast Fitm Festival i s
aware o f this. I just want t o ask how you think someone who is known t o
hold transphobic views could possibly hold the position of inclusion... Don
"Hello,
My name is Lola Petticrew. I a m an actor form Belfast. I took part i n
the Belfast film festival a few years ago with a film called a bump
along the way and I felt s o privileged to be able to take part in my
home towns film festival. Also safe.
I hope to continue to get to show work there i n the future. I love
making working at home and showing work a t home and all of the beautiful
things that make u p the film industry at home.
However i t has recently been brought to my attention that your inclusion
officer Sara Morrison spoke a t a transphobic rally which took place i n
Belfast. I t has also come to my attention that Belfast Fitm Festival i s
aware o f this. I just want t o ask how you think someone who is known t o
hold transphobic views could possibly hold the position of inclusion... Don
officer? I've also been made aware she is a part of events being held
i n conjunction with pride? I find this to be absolutely unbelievable t o
b e honest. Looking at her social media and seeing pages that she follows
which spew vile and vitriolic hate towards trans people also shows how
absolutely wrong i t is for her t o possibly hold the position of
inclusion officer. "
i n conjunction with pride? I find this to be absolutely unbelievable t o
b e honest. Looking at her social media and seeing pages that she follows
which spew vile and vitriolic hate towards trans people also shows how
absolutely wrong i t is for her t o possibly hold the position of
inclusion officer. "
SD now you will say that's not your views
SM yes
SD but this creates a problem for the BFF
[we go to more examples]
SD how can you expect them not to act when they're getting this kind of feedback - should they just do nothing?
SM I'd expect them to get some perspective...
SM yes
SD but this creates a problem for the BFF
[we go to more examples]
SD how can you expect them not to act when they're getting this kind of feedback - should they just do nothing?
SM I'd expect them to get some perspective...
... actually, no. It's not for me to say what they should do.
[we go to another email]
"I want to preface this letter with the fact that I am a n openly transgender man, but my work does
not focus o n this topic. Nor did the films I was representing at the festival have anything to do with
m e beings trans. I also want to preface that until this interaction, I had never met Sara Morrison.
I drafted an email t o you i n November after having an incident with Sara Morrison during the
festival, and again on the 16'* of April after Sara publically spoke at an anti-transgender rally in
Belfast city centre that was circulated online. O n both occasions I opted not t o send the emails,
feeling powerless and quite worried about the possibility of being exiled from the Belfast Film
Festival for speaking about my experience.
A t the Belfast Film Festival i n November 2022 - during the after-screening drinks o f Ballywalter in
the Cineworld foyer, I was approached by Sara Morrison. I had never met Sara before. and had to
google her after the interaction, shocked that she was listed as the Audience Development and
Inclusion Officer.
Sara initiated a conversation with me by name, "
[we go to another email]
"I want to preface this letter with the fact that I am a n openly transgender man, but my work does
not focus o n this topic. Nor did the films I was representing at the festival have anything to do with
m e beings trans. I also want to preface that until this interaction, I had never met Sara Morrison.
I drafted an email t o you i n November after having an incident with Sara Morrison during the
festival, and again on the 16'* of April after Sara publically spoke at an anti-transgender rally in
Belfast city centre that was circulated online. O n both occasions I opted not t o send the emails,
feeling powerless and quite worried about the possibility of being exiled from the Belfast Film
Festival for speaking about my experience.
A t the Belfast Film Festival i n November 2022 - during the after-screening drinks o f Ballywalter in
the Cineworld foyer, I was approached by Sara Morrison. I had never met Sara before. and had to
google her after the interaction, shocked that she was listed as the Audience Development and
Inclusion Officer.
Sara initiated a conversation with me by name, "
SD do you accept this happened
SM "absolutely none of this happened" I am very happy to deny it. None of it.
[the email goes on]
"his conversation quickly
became incredibly uncomfortable, turning into what felt like borderline targeted harassment. She
insisted on making it known to me that she was a TERF, standing for Trans Exclusionary Radical
Feminist' - repeating this to me multiple times, adding that I "probably hated her, hated her guts,
thought she was a ****" etc. despite having never met her before..."
SM "absolutely none of this happened" I am very happy to deny it. None of it.
[the email goes on]
"his conversation quickly
became incredibly uncomfortable, turning into what felt like borderline targeted harassment. She
insisted on making it known to me that she was a TERF, standing for Trans Exclusionary Radical
Feminist' - repeating this to me multiple times, adding that I "probably hated her, hated her guts,
thought she was a ****" etc. despite having never met her before..."
SD asks for SM's respons
SM "it's shocking that someone could lie like this"
SD about behaviour whilst at work
SM yes. shocking that someone would just make this up
SD so the way to deal with this would be for the BFF to investigate?
SM no one ever spoke to me about it - they initiated the investigation and it all went on without me
SD shouldn't your employer investigate
SM not for me to say - above my pay grade
SD isn't it incumbent on the employer to invesetigate
SM is there a response to this email?
SD there's not
SM right
SM "it's shocking that someone could lie like this"
SD about behaviour whilst at work
SM yes. shocking that someone would just make this up
SD so the way to deal with this would be for the BFF to investigate?
SM no one ever spoke to me about it - they initiated the investigation and it all went on without me
SD shouldn't your employer investigate
SM not for me to say - above my pay grade
SD isn't it incumbent on the employer to invesetigate
SM is there a response to this email?
SD there's not
SM right
[we go to the conversation MD had with SM about releasing the statement. MD says SM okayed the statement which was released saying "that's fine"]
SM accepts she might have said it and says she was "hyper-vigilant" and "very very scared" she might lose her job
SD she never said "disciplinary proceedings" at any stage did she
SM [agrees] no absolutely not
SM accepts she might have said it and says she was "hyper-vigilant" and "very very scared" she might lose her job
SD she never said "disciplinary proceedings" at any stage did she
SM [agrees] no absolutely not
SD moves on to the terms of the investigation, in an email sent to SM by Think People - an HR co
"Invite t o Investigation
Further to discussion with Michele Devlin, Festival Director, I write to confirm that I have been
appointed by Belfast Film Festival t o join Lisa Barros D'Sa, Co-Chair to investigate a number of matters.
I have included below full details of the terms o f reference of the investigation.
On 3 July 2023, an email was sent by Michele Devlin, Festival Director, to a variety o f LGBTQl+ groups
regarding the Pride on Film Event. A number of responses were received to this email, containing
allegations that a staff member of Belfast Film Festival, Sara Morrison, Inclusion / Audience
Development Co-Ordinator had spoken at a "Posie Parker" rally in Belfast on 16 April 2023. In addition
to these emails, a number of comments were posted on Twitter tagging the Belfast Film Festival
account and the Festival Director, in relation to the rally and the staff member's involvement.
Additionally, concern was brought to the attention of the Festival Director b y a Board member
concerning a discussion with Sara Morrison a t a work-related event on 23 June 2023 regarding her
involvement in the rally.
Concerns have therefore alleged that Sara's involvement i n such a n event is contrary t o the following
specific areas o f the role of Inclusion / Audience Development Co-Ordinator i n Belfast Film Festival,
namely:
The purpose o f the role, to contribute towards BFF's overall Audience Development goals, in
delivering events to engage local communities in a range of film activities i n their localities,
year-round and during the two annual Festivals; working with partner organisations,
community leaders, community participants and young people prior to and during events, to
encourage their participation and attendance.
A responsibility to maintain current relationships and build positive new relationships with
BFF's audience, participants and stakeholders.
The allegations are related to the actions and behaviours of Sara Morrison, Inclusion / Audience
Development Co-Ordinator i n carrying out her role and any potential damage t o BFF's reputation a s
a n inclusive organisation and Service Provider.
The investigation of these matters will be undertaken by Lisa Barros D'Sa, Co-Chair of Belfast Film
Festival and Bethany O'Neill, HR Consultant, Think People Consulting an AAB Group Company on
behalf of Belfast Film Festival.
The Investigation Panel will b e investigating these matters and any other issues that may come t o their
attention during the course of the investigation. The Panel will have access t o any staff, documents
Think People
AN AAB GROUP COMPANY
and/or information required to enable them to appropriately investigate the concerns raised and
prepare their findings.
The following approach will be taken in investigating these matters:
• The Investigation Panel will meet with Sara Morrison to discuss the alleged incident and obtain a
clearer understanding of the event i n question. All parties will b e given the opportunity to review
evidence submitted o f the event.
• The Panel may at any stage interview any other person whom they consider may b e able to assist
in relation t o the matters raised.
• The purpose of the interview meeting(s) is to establish the facts. All interviews will b e held in
private. A written record of the interview meetings will b e recorded and will be used by the Panel
for any purpose deemed necessary during the investigation.
• Any person for whom a written statement of fact is prepared will b e given the opportunity to
review and agree their statement.
• All information provided to assist with the investigation will be treated as confidential to the
investigation (subject to any statutory requirements) and all parties will be reminded that they
must respect the confidentiality of the process.
• The Panel will be responsible for communicating with the parties and any witnesses i n relation to
the investigation including arrangements for interview meetings, etc.
The Investigation Panel will produce a written report to Marie-Therese McGivern, Co-Chair of Belfast
Film Festival, setting out its findings of fact and whether there appears to b e any breach of Belfast
Film Festival disciplinary rules o r failings i n respect of other relevant Policies and Procedures; Codes
of Practice via Labour Relations Agency and or Equality Commission guidelines, any failure to perform
the role of Inclusion / Audience Development Co-Ordinator in a professional manner, and any failure
t o support and promote BFF as an inclusive organisation and Service Provider.
You are therefore requested to attend an investigation meeting as follows:
DATE: Wednesday 26 July 2023
TIME:
11:00am"
"Invite t o Investigation
Further to discussion with Michele Devlin, Festival Director, I write to confirm that I have been
appointed by Belfast Film Festival t o join Lisa Barros D'Sa, Co-Chair to investigate a number of matters.
I have included below full details of the terms o f reference of the investigation.
On 3 July 2023, an email was sent by Michele Devlin, Festival Director, to a variety o f LGBTQl+ groups
regarding the Pride on Film Event. A number of responses were received to this email, containing
allegations that a staff member of Belfast Film Festival, Sara Morrison, Inclusion / Audience
Development Co-Ordinator had spoken at a "Posie Parker" rally in Belfast on 16 April 2023. In addition
to these emails, a number of comments were posted on Twitter tagging the Belfast Film Festival
account and the Festival Director, in relation to the rally and the staff member's involvement.
Additionally, concern was brought to the attention of the Festival Director b y a Board member
concerning a discussion with Sara Morrison a t a work-related event on 23 June 2023 regarding her
involvement in the rally.
Concerns have therefore alleged that Sara's involvement i n such a n event is contrary t o the following
specific areas o f the role of Inclusion / Audience Development Co-Ordinator i n Belfast Film Festival,
namely:
The purpose o f the role, to contribute towards BFF's overall Audience Development goals, in
delivering events to engage local communities in a range of film activities i n their localities,
year-round and during the two annual Festivals; working with partner organisations,
community leaders, community participants and young people prior to and during events, to
encourage their participation and attendance.
A responsibility to maintain current relationships and build positive new relationships with
BFF's audience, participants and stakeholders.
The allegations are related to the actions and behaviours of Sara Morrison, Inclusion / Audience
Development Co-Ordinator i n carrying out her role and any potential damage t o BFF's reputation a s
a n inclusive organisation and Service Provider.
The investigation of these matters will be undertaken by Lisa Barros D'Sa, Co-Chair of Belfast Film
Festival and Bethany O'Neill, HR Consultant, Think People Consulting an AAB Group Company on
behalf of Belfast Film Festival.
The Investigation Panel will b e investigating these matters and any other issues that may come t o their
attention during the course of the investigation. The Panel will have access t o any staff, documents
Think People
AN AAB GROUP COMPANY
and/or information required to enable them to appropriately investigate the concerns raised and
prepare their findings.
The following approach will be taken in investigating these matters:
• The Investigation Panel will meet with Sara Morrison to discuss the alleged incident and obtain a
clearer understanding of the event i n question. All parties will b e given the opportunity to review
evidence submitted o f the event.
• The Panel may at any stage interview any other person whom they consider may b e able to assist
in relation t o the matters raised.
• The purpose of the interview meeting(s) is to establish the facts. All interviews will b e held in
private. A written record of the interview meetings will b e recorded and will be used by the Panel
for any purpose deemed necessary during the investigation.
• Any person for whom a written statement of fact is prepared will b e given the opportunity to
review and agree their statement.
• All information provided to assist with the investigation will be treated as confidential to the
investigation (subject to any statutory requirements) and all parties will be reminded that they
must respect the confidentiality of the process.
• The Panel will be responsible for communicating with the parties and any witnesses i n relation to
the investigation including arrangements for interview meetings, etc.
The Investigation Panel will produce a written report to Marie-Therese McGivern, Co-Chair of Belfast
Film Festival, setting out its findings of fact and whether there appears to b e any breach of Belfast
Film Festival disciplinary rules o r failings i n respect of other relevant Policies and Procedures; Codes
of Practice via Labour Relations Agency and or Equality Commission guidelines, any failure to perform
the role of Inclusion / Audience Development Co-Ordinator in a professional manner, and any failure
t o support and promote BFF as an inclusive organisation and Service Provider.
You are therefore requested to attend an investigation meeting as follows:
DATE: Wednesday 26 July 2023
TIME:
11:00am"
SD that meeting never took place
SM no it didn't
SD you went sick
SM yes
SD and you were never suspended
SM that's true
SD that investigation never got off the ground ultimately because you raised a grievance
SM correct
SM no it didn't
SD you went sick
SM yes
SD and you were never suspended
SM that's true
SD that investigation never got off the ground ultimately because you raised a grievance
SM correct
SD so no disciplinary steps were ever taken against you
SM yes absolutely
SM yes absolutely
SD takes her to the grievance raised by SM. It is being read silently by the panel members.
SD you raise in your grievance MD wearing a "trans inclusive feminist" t-shirt at Belfast Pride - is she not entitled to wear it
SM thought it was very pointed given what had happened
SD you raise in your grievance MD wearing a "trans inclusive feminist" t-shirt at Belfast Pride - is she not entitled to wear it
SM thought it was very pointed given what had happened
SD she doesn't mention you in her tweet about it
SM no
SD and there were no complaints to her tweet,
SM no idea
SD MD says she got no complaints - unlike when you spoke at LWS
SM "sign of the times"
SM no
SD and there were no complaints to her tweet,
SM no idea
SD MD says she got no complaints - unlike when you spoke at LWS
SM "sign of the times"
SD the grievance meeting on 17 August didn't go ahead
SM no I was member of BECTU and they would not have supported me and I was the only member of staff...
SD I think this is a little later - I think this one was postponed because you were unwell
SM yes
SM no I was member of BECTU and they would not have supported me and I was the only member of staff...
SD I think this is a little later - I think this one was postponed because you were unwell
SM yes
SD so further invite to meeting on 7 Sep and it was this meeting you didn't attend because you want to bring Carrie with you
SM yes Carrie from the Free Speech Union
SM yes Carrie from the Free Speech Union
SD on 5 Sep you say Carrie and you will attend the grievance meeting by link
SM yes
SD but FSU is not a trade union and so you were informed only a trade union rep or a colleague could attend
SM yes
SM yes
SD but FSU is not a trade union and so you were informed only a trade union rep or a colleague could attend
SM yes
SD so you say you'll bring Sinead McKiver (sp) a colleague
SM yes
SD but she was a former colleague so you were told she could not attend
SM yes
SM yes
SD but she was a former colleague so you were told she could not attend
SM yes
SD so on 6 Sep you say that because you can't bring the people you want and because you've been sick you want a postponement, and that was accommodated
SM yes
SM yes
SD takes her to an email from 16 November 2023 - SM has sent a document where she expanded on her grievance.
SM concurs.
SD asks if it makes sense for the panel to read the extended grievance whilst SM has a break as it's a long time to go straight through to lunch.
SM concurs.
SD asks if it makes sense for the panel to read the extended grievance whilst SM has a break as it's a long time to go straight through to lunch.
Judge agrees and we are now on a 15 minute break, reconvening at 1155.
I'll end this thread here and start a new one for Day 2 Session 2.
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