Pimlico Plumbers, founded by Conservative party donor Charlie Mullins, has lost a court of appeal case arguing that plumber Gary Smith was an “independent contractor” rather than an employee. Smith had previously won an employment tribunal where he argued that he was not self-employed. The ruling means the government will have to pay out £2.4m in legal costs and damages for Smith’s dismissal. “It is shameful that Tory ministers have sat on the findings of the coalition’s review into employment status,” said Green co-leader Jonathan Bartley, who wrote to the prime minister in October calling for the report to be published. Earlier this year, a courier for CitySprint won the right to paid holidays and the minimum wage, whilst in 2016 delivery firm Deliveroo was told to pay the minimum wage. Last year, Uber also lost the right to categorise drivers as self-employed.
Pimlico Plumbers, founded by Conservative party donor Charlie Mullins, has lost a court of appeal case arguing that plumber Gary Smith was an “independent contractor” rather than an employee. Smith had previously won an employment tribunal where he argued that he was not self-employed. The ruling means the government will have to pay out £2.4m in legal costs and damages for Smith’s dismissal. Earlier this year, a courier for CitySprint won the right to paid holidays and the minimum wage, whilst in 2016 delivery firm Deliveroo was told to pay the minimum wage. Last year, Uber also lost the right to categorise drivers as self-employed.