A JUDGE has suggested Carillion lawyers effectively ghost wrote the report of an internal investigation about allegations of discrimination at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital.

The claim came midway through the employment tribunal into the allegations.

Former health and safety manager Gary McAllister had been tasked with interviewing staff about allegations of discrimination, harassment and corrupt practices at the hospital in 2012.

Giving evidence, he said he had provided Carillion, which supplies patient meals and cleaning services at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital, with a skeleton report based on his investigations.

And he had consulted senior managers about its content before taking part in conference calls with the company’s solicitors.

He was then sent a collated report by the solicitors for proofreading and correction.

It was at this point Judge Nigel Livesey remarked that the lawyers had effectively ghost written the report.

Acting for the 51 GMB members who have made the claims, Oliver Segal QC requested that the skeleton report and notes of the consultations should be made available to the tribunal.

Judge Livesey was expected yesterday to rule on whether they should be admitted into evidence.

The tribunal, now in its 20th day, has heard claims of intimidation and discrimination against Goan domestic staff at the hospital, particularly after they took strike action to back their claims.

It has also heard allegations of “bribery”, with allegations that Goan staff were expected to offer their managers expensive gifts in return for overtime, extra holidays and even to obtain jobs.

The workers’ union GMB’s full claim against Carillion includes complaints of direct and indirect discrimination because of race and/or religious belief, harassment related to race and religious belief, breaches of Working Time Regulations, unlawful deductions of wages and detriment on trade union grounds.

Members involved in the dispute work as porters and housekeepers and in catering and cleaning jobs and other support roles at the Swindon hospital.

GMB members voted overwhelmingly in December 2011 for strike action in protest against bullying and discrimination at the hospital.

GMB members demanded Carillion management stop the culture of bullying and end discrimination in pay and conditions.

After 21 days of strike action the company was not prepared to uphold any of the grievances.

As a consequence GMB filed discrimination claims on behalf of the members at the tribunal.

The tribunal in Bristol is expected to last until December 10.