The first claimant was employed by and ultimately became a Director and general manager of the respondent company. The second claimant was employed as contracts manager. The company was owned by Mr Bell who was the sole shareholder, and in later years significantly cut back his involvement with the business. The first claimant had bought a number of items for his home through the company account with the express permission of the second claimant, the agreement being that this was in lieu of payment for overtime. 

Mr Bell then dismissed the first claimant with immediate effect for ´financial irregularities´ with no right of appeal. The second claimant resigned shortly after claiming that he no longer trusted the owner and