Mr. Warren Jones, the former acting principal at Northlands Secondary School, has filed suit against the Minister of Education and the Public Service Commission, alleging wrongful dismissal.

A statement of claim filed in Supreme Court yesterday also alleges that the Education Minister and the PSC "conspired and combined'' to professionally "injure'' Mr. Jones.

Mr. Jones, represented by lawyer Mr. Julian Hall, is claiming $325,000 in damages for wrongful dismissal, plus unspecified damages "for conspiracy to injure him and/or to damage or destroy him in his profession and employment as a senior schools administrator/principal''.

A statement of claim contains allegations which still must be proven in court.

After serving as acting principal at Northlands for three years, Mr. Jones was not interviewed for the permanent post. Instead, he was offered a job as a music teacher and the principal's post went to Mrs. Carol Bassett.

His rejection in the summer of 1994 set off protests by parents, teachers, and the community at large.

Mr. Jones has since taken a job as manager of personnel at the Bermuda Telephone Co. Ltd., but "must clear his name,'' Mr. Hall said.

"He has accepted another post in the private sector. His heart, however, lies in education.'' Under the PSC regulations, it was "implied by law'' that Mr. Jones would be given preference for the principal's post, having held the acting job for more than two years, the statement says.

It was also implied that Mr. Jones would be given "a fair and reasonable opportunity to be apprised of and respond to any adverse criticism affecting the prospects of a recommendation in favour of his permanent employment.'' That did not happen, although the Permanent Secretary for Education informed the PSC chairman that Mr. Jones "had been made aware of and responded to'' concerns on the part of the Minister of Education when he had not, the statement says.

As well as damages, Mr. Jones is seeking a declaration that the defendants acted improperly and that the recommendation made to the Governor on his application was "null and void.'' Officials could not be reached at Ministry of Education headquarters after 5 p.m. yesterday. Mrs. Jeannette Cannonier, chairman of the PSC, declined to comment.

Mr. Hall said the matter has taken some time to get to court not due to any reluctance on the part of Mr. Jones, but because he wanted to research the matter thoroughly.

"Discussions (with the other parties in the dispute) ceased many, many weeks ago,'' he said.