Gary Bolister had worked across Islington estates for 24 years

DEMONSTRATORS were outside the Town Hall last night (Thursday) to demand that a sacked council worker is given his job back.

Gary Bolister was dismissed from his role as a caretaker after 24 years working across Islington estates.

The 43-year-old was reprimanded after appearing in a Facebook Live streaming video which was being filmed as part of a protest against Islington’s road closures.

During the clip, taken in November – which Mr Bolister said he appeared in but did not shoot – an Islington councillor was filmed inside her home. Mr Bolister and his trade union GMB said this was an accident and he has offered to write the councillor a letter of apology.

But Islington Council have sacked him and recently refused his appeal.

Mr Bolister said: “Losing my job has had a massive effect on my mental health and my family life. I feel like Islington Council has shown me no compassion or humanity. I’ve just signed on – I’ve never been on the dole my whole life.”

Helen Purcell, a GMB organiser who has represented him throughout the proceedings, said she had “never come across such an unjust outcome”.

A spokesperson for Islington Council said: “The council has a clear code of conduct which all employees are aware of and are expected to uphold.

“Any serious breach of this code can be expected to lead to a disciplinary hearing.

“All such hearings are investigated in accordance with clear procedures and have the right of appeal.”

They added: “The council is clear that as an employer and a public service provider, all our employees must uphold the standards set out in the code of conduct. Our resi­dents deserve to know that we will uphold these stan­dards, and to be able to trust us to take appropriate action.”