02-05-2025
Biscuit firm boss sacked after slapping Gemma Oaten's bum on stage at an awards - but says Emmerdale star 'gave him permission'
A health and safety boss at a biscuit firm was sacked after slapping Gemma Oaten's bum on stage at an awards ceremony - but claimed the Emmerdale star gave him permission.
Steve Jones was standing next to the actress after volunteering to go up stage to accept an award at the International Safety Awards when he slapped her on the bottom.
But the then-head of Health, Safety, Environment and Security at McVitie's owner Pladis claimed it was not 'unwanted conduct'.
Jones claimed he had told the presenter he had slapped another well-known woman's bottom and she said 'go for it'.
An employment tribunal heard a colleague of his was upset by the incident after seeing a video of the slap and reported him, referring to the #metoo movement.
He was reported for 'physical conduct pertaining to sexual harassment' after a woman he worked with, who had been taking photos on her phone in 'live' mode, caught a clip of the incident.
Steve Jones was standing next to the actress after volunteering to go up stage to accept an award at the International Safety Awards when he slapped Gemma Oaten (pictured) on the bottom
He was fired after an investigation by his line manager found his actions were 'neither decent nor moral' but 'ill-judged, insensitive and in bad taste'.
The International Safety Awards, which took place at the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane in London in June last year, was attended by hundreds of people including a professional photographer.
In a social media post on the day of the event, Ms Oaten - who was not named in the tribunal - said she had had a 'bloody good giggle'.
She said: 'So much fun to be with you all night & have a bloody good giggle too.
'I always try and deliver the right mix of the heart and deep stuff with the fun and naughtiness when hosting and delivering keynote... I think anyone there last night will agree there was plenty of both, especially the latter.'
Jones appealed against his sacking, and took it to a tribunal when his claim was dismissed - claiming the actress 'did not feel harassed, was not distressed, and made no complaint'.
He claimed that even Ms Oaten, who plays Rachel Breckle in Emmerdale, felt it was appropriate in the context of the evening and he hadn't meant to upset or offend anyone.
The central London tribunal found his colleagues had been upset by his conduct and he was fairly dismissed.
The Tribunal Judge Peer found: 'Having considered all of the evidence and in light of my findings above, I am satisfied that the claimant was made aware of the scope of the investigation and the purpose of the disciplinary hearing.
'I do not accept that he did not know what was at stake. I note that during the disciplinary hearing he did acknowledge that in hindsight the behaviour was not acceptable.'
