Shocking & disgraceful

Union chief claims Jamie was targeted by bosses

- VIVIENNE AITKEN

A WHISTLEBLOWER who highlighted major failings in the Scottish Ambulance Service has hit out after he was threatened with the sack.

Jamie McNamee, Unite's Scottish ambulance convener, faced false allegations at work, which his union believe were as a direct result of him speaking about the crisis in the service.

The Daily Record began highlighting the ambulance crisis in 2021, with waiting times putting lives at risk as crews queued outside hospital A&E departments for hours.

McNamee spoke out as waiting times escalated, with the average reaching six hours, highlighting the fears of his fellow paramedics that lives would be lost unless action was taken.

But after speaking out, Jamie was hit with disciplinary action for allegedly bullying a colleague which was later dropped after Jamie strongly refuted the claims.

Speaking for the first time about his ordeal, Jamie told the Daily Record: "During the process it became clear that these false statements had been put forward in an attempt to have me disciplined as a gross misconduct case.

"This would have in all likelihood resulted in dismissal from the service due to the seriousness of these allegations.

"These events left me feeling exposed and vulnerable.