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The social worker at the centre of a controversy over whistleblowing has lost his case for unfair dismissal, writes Alex Dobson.

Charles Faber’s suspension and subsequent dismissal sparked a one-day strike in the Welsh capital earlier this year, following claims that he was being victimised for highlighting his fears over the safety of vulnerable children cared for by Cardiff council.

But an employment tribunal has decided unanimously, that Faber’s dismissal was fair.

Cardiff council has always maintained that he was sacked because of financial mismanagement.

The tribunal ruling says: "Their decision that this amounted to gross misconduct was within the band of reasonable responses, and that they operated a fair procedure. Accordingly we find that the applicant was not unfairly dismissed."

Deputy mayor Christine Priday said the council had maintained throughout that Faber was dismissed for gross mismanagement and not, as he alleged, for whistleblowing.

"I am very pleased that the tribunal found the council acted in a responsible way and followed all the correct procedures", she said.

Faber said the decision sends a clear message to social workers that it is dangerous to speak out if they have real concerns over children’s welfare.

"My real worry is that all frontline staff will now even feel inhibited about telling their managers about their concerns over children," he said.