THREE workers have been suspended for allegedly breaching a Swindon homeless charity’s media policy amid a row over the way it is managed.

James Derieg and Tony Niester, who provide the street outreach service, had their work mobile phones cut off at 9am on Friday, June 8, by Threshold Housing Link.

Mr Derieg, a former human rights worker in Bosnia, had already been suspended over a previous story in the Adver concerning HR consultant Christine Pratt’s involvement with the charity.

An admin worker is also understood to be facing disciplinary action.

Mr Niester began work at 7.30am at the Breakfast Club, a service for homeless people in Broad Green, before being told to stay away from the charity’s nearby offices.

The outreach workers had voiced concern in the Adver over conflicts of interest, financial arrangements and disciplinary procedures.

They have found themselves at odds with chief executive officer Cher Sawyer-Smith and her husband, operations director Phil Smith.

The executives have been backed by chairman of trustees Trevor Davies, who accused the co-workers of a “witch-hunt” against Mrs Sawyer-Smith.

But Mr Niester told the Adver that he had no regrets about going public with his grievances.

He said: “We have a feeling of relief that our concerns are finally out in the open in front of the members and the public.

“We have been suspended for nothing more than telling the truth about what has been going on at Threshold.

“We were voted employees of the year by the charity last year and never had a disciplinary or even a bad word until we initiated our complaints through Threshold’s whistleblowing procedure.

“Speaking publicly was a last resort. This is nothing personal against anybody at the charity, it is about what is right and what is wrong.”

Mr Niester, 39, had begun the day at the Breakfast Club in St Luke's Church before being told he was suspended.

He said: “When I phoned the office I spoke to an HR consultant who I have not heard of before.

“She told me I had been suspended for breaching the charity’s media policy and if I did turn up the police would be called.

“She said I had been sent a letter, but that’s not much help when I had already left for work.”

Mr Derieg, 49, had already been suspended for allegedly leaking a previous story about HR consultant Christine Pratt’s involvement in the charity, which appeared in the Adver last month.

He also denied that he had acted out of a desire to oust Mrs Sawyer-Smith.

Mr Derieg said: “Tony and I have never been managed by Cher, and apart from one conversation in September 2009, I have had almost no contact with her at all. “My concerns are about the good name of the charity and the apparent conflict of interests with one family.”

Mr Derieg and Mr Niester have been told by the Filling Station charity that they are free to carry on working at the town’s soup runs and breakfast service.

Threshold yesterday responded to the suspensions with this statement: “Obviously Threshold cannot discuss the current investigation being carried out as a result of the Swindon Advertiser’s article. It is normal employment practice for staff, considered to be involved in issues of confidential disclosure, to be placed on suspension with full pay.

“This enables a thorough and fair investigation of the issues. Part of this process is to exclude the employees concerned from the workplace and they are requested to refrain from contacting other employees to ensure there is no collusion or intimidation.

“As you can imagine this is a very stressful time for all our employees whilst we continue to provide an effective service to our client group.

“The employee at the reception, who was briefed to remind Mr Niester and Mr Derieg that they were not to access Threshold premises should they call, chose to advise them that the police would be called if they came on to Threshold’s premises, action normally taken if people refuse to leave when requested to do so. “Mr Niester and Mr Derieg who are fully aware of their responsibilities whilst under suspension, chose to contact the office to advise of their intended visit to see the senior management.

The intended message was miscommunicated by the staff member, who was under considerable pressure at the time as a result of their proposed visit.”

In a four-page special report which appeared in the Adver on Friday, June 8, chairman of the trustees, Trevor Davies, said the workers’ complaints had been investigated thoroughly and found to be without merit.

“They do not like this individual (Cher Sawyer-Smith) and they will do anything and say anything which will blacken her name,” he said.

“It’s pure vindictiveness and a witch-hunt.”

Mr Davies also said there was no conflict of interest in having a married couple running the charity or in the decisions they had made.