Sir Alan Sugar could fire his Apprentice Lee McQueen
Thursday, 12 June 2008
The slight exaggeration Apprentice winner Lee McQueen made on his CV in the penultimate show of the series could see him out on his ear before he even begins his new job.
Lee landed a £100,000-a-year position in Sir Alan Sugar's company when he was chosen as the Apprentice on Wednesday evening, but it's the show prior to the final that everyone is talking about.
In that programme, the remaining five candidates were grilled by Sir Alan's trusted business allies, and one of them discovered that the 30 year-old recruitment manager from Middlesex hadn't been entirely truthful on his CV.
Lee said he'd been to university for two years when, in fact, he left after four months.
Associate employment lawyer Hannah Ford from Stevens & Bolton told reckons Sir Alan Sugar is perfectly within his legal rights to either refuse to hire or retract an offer from his new Apprentice.
She told the Telegraph: "Usually, when an employer discovers there is a glaring error or an employee has attempted to mislead them then they can dismiss without fear of reprisal."
"Lee lied about his course at Thames Valley University and he said he had been there for two years when he walked after four months.
"If an employee had rights, an employer would be expected to listen and consider their view and work out if the lie was material to the job."
Hannah went on: "If they were talking about a key qualification, for example, then it would certainly be grounds for dismissal.
"It goes to the integrity of the candidate - Lee was on really shaky ground.
"If Sir Alan had decided to get rid of him, he would not have had a leg to stand on."
Employees in general do not have unfair dismissal rights for the first 12 months.
What do you think about Lee winning The Apprentice? Share your thoughts on our Reality TV forum >
More The Apprentice »
Lee McQueen's winning cars
Lee McQueen has spent of his new £100,000-a-year salary on two new cars.
Monday, 4 August 2008, 9.45am - in Television
Jonathan Ross' Apprentice show
Jonathan Ross has reportedly signed up to star in 'Celebrity Apprentice'.
Monday, 28 July 2008, 10.15am - in Television
Alex Wotherspoon's new show
Alex Wotherspoon is reportedly set to front his own business show later this year.
Thursday, 17 July 2008, 10.16am - in Television
Raef Bjayou's Richard deal
'The Apprentice' reject Raef Bjayou has reportedly signed up to be a presenter on 'The Richard and Judy Show'.
Monday, 14 July 2008, 10.30am - in Television
Sir Alan Sugar says "You're fired" to himself
The Apprentice boss Sir Alan Sugar has stepped down from his role as Chairman of Amstrad, the company he founded almost 40 years ago.
Wednesday, 2 July 2008, 10.24am - in Television
Alan Sugar's Apprentice Kylie
Sir Alan Sugar wants Kylie Minogue to appear on 'Comic Relief Does The Apprentice' next March (2009).
Tuesday, 24 June 2008, 10.51am - in Television
