Tom Cobleigh chef refuses to be gagged

A CHEF who claimed he was so overworked that he had to quit his job with pub group Tom Cobleigh has rejected an out-of-court settlement because it included a gagging clause.

Gordon Lobban, who quit as second chef at the Riverside Farm pub in York in February was told by Tom Cobleigh’s legal representatives that a £2,700 settlement offered the day before his industrial tribunal was subject to a confidentiality clause. The settlement was offered without the company accepting fault.

"I don’t want to be hushed up and I don’t want to be bought off. I want to make a stand for chefs and barmen because we don’t have to be down-trodden," he said.

Lobban, who worked at the pub for three years, claims that his professionalism was undermined because management failed to provide extra staffing despite his requests and that food and service standards suffered. He is now seeking a further date for a court hearing.

Pub manager Alan Lockwood has disputed Lobban’s claim that he had no back-up. A spokeswoman from Tom Cobleigh said that no further comment could be made.