An employment dispute between Lawrence Scott and JetBlue Airways is likely to be dealt with by the Human Rights Commission and not the courts, according to the Opposition MP.

Mr Scott told The Royal Gazette that although he started legal proceedings for wrongful dismissal in the Supreme Court against his former employer this year, he now expected the matter to be handled by the HRC.

“The only update is that they [JetBlue] didn’t want it to go to Supreme Court because all of the evidence would have been public knowledge,” said the shadow transport minister.

“The HRC is investigating the grounds [for complaint].”

Mr Scott was suspended from his supervisor role with JetBlue in March, pending an investigation into his conduct.

He was fired from the post in April, after ten years with the company.

He claimed at a press conference at Alaska Hall in May that he lost his aviation job because of his stance against the controversial airport redevelopment.

But JetBlue countered with a statement insisting his sacking was based on his “non-compliance with JetBlue policies” and his claims to the contrary were an attempt to “mislead the community”.

The Human Rights Act outlaws discrimination on the basis of political opinions, including by employers, and the HRC investigates such complaints. Its officers are bound in law to keep its investigations confidential.

Mr Scott said in May the official reason he was given for his termination was related to a “charitable donation” of air tickets he made in 2015, though a leaked copy of his termination letter suggested otherwise.

The letter outlined four reasons for his removal: lying or providing false statements during an investigation; violation of safety and/or work rules; conduct detrimental to JetBlue’s best interests; and incompetence and/or misconduct, including professional misconduct.

The Warwick South East MP has been backed by the Progressive Labour Party in the dispute, with acting Opposition leader David Burt condemning “this unjust targeting of Mr Scott”.

Asked to comment, JetBlue spokeswoman Elizabeth Ninomiya referred this newspaper to the company’s previous statement in May.

She added: “JetBlue does not intend to engage in public arguments on this matter.”

HRC executive director Lisa Reed declined to comment.

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