Mark Anthony France victimised

Mark Anthony France, a 46 year old spokesperson for the Julie Must GO NOW! Campaign, is facing the prospect of losing his job because he spoke out against the corruption of parliamentary democracy in the UK.

Julie's Revenge

Mark France, who works at Bromsgrove Job Centre as an admin officer earning £14,700 p.a., organised the petition which called on Julie Kirkbride MP to resign. On 28th May 2009 Julie Kirkbride 'stood down' as Bromsgrove’s MP. Ms Kirkbride is reported to have had an income of £266,000 last year.

Mr France launched the petition during a live Sky News broadcast from Bromsgrove High Street on Saturday 16th May 2009. A transcript of that interview is being used by his employer, the Department of Work and Pensions, to attempt to sack him from his job.

Kafka Lives!

The charge against him is: 

'employees should not comment on matters of controversy which fall within Ministers' responsibility'

Had Mark France failed to comment on his MP's behaviour it is likely she would not now be resigning but be in line for a cabinet post in a Cameron government next year.

Peasants' Revolt

Speaking from his family home in Bromsgrove, Mr France said:

"The attempt to silence me will fail. I have a democratic right to speak. Alongside thousands of other Job Centre Staff up and down the country I work hard to ensure that the victims of the recession are treated with dignity. We face a bullying management culture that stamps on the human rights of Job Centre Staff and our Unemployed customers.

"The DWP can punish me and my family for daring to speak the truth…but they will not stop the 'Peasants Revolt' that started in Bromsgrove from growing.

"On Saturday 20th June I will be in Bromsgrove High Street and I will speak." (18 June 2009)

STOP PRESS

Latest News

There is still no date for Mark France's disciplinary hearing, but on 13th July he will attend a grievance meeting - separate from the disciplinary - at Bromsgrove Job Centre alleging harassment and bullying against the DWP. If he wins the grievance that may help him win the disciplinary. 

Mr France is being represented by Sian Ruddick, Regional Chair of PCS in the Midlands, who is seeking to get any discipinary meeting dealt with by more senior DWP officials. 

A Facebook support group Do Not Sack Mark France has been started, with 130 members to date. (3 July 2009)

Just fancy that!

(Private Eye, 10 July 2009)