Unfair dismissal verdict pending

AN INDUSTRIAL tribunal has reserved judgement for a month on the case of Mary Rice, the ex-head of public communications at the Medical Research Council, who took action against her former employer for unfair dismissal and breach of contract. Ms Rice was dismissed last November by the MRC for "gross misconduct" after she had criticised the council's decision, revealed by The Sunday Times, to accept research funds from the tobacco giant BAT.