"Enough's enough", former Avocet employees tell us

EXCLUSIVE by EWAN LAMB

Two former members of staff at the Avocet 'disruptive technology' businesses have taken the courageous decision to speak publicly for the first time after being repeatedly accused of alleged wrongdoing including theft of property and possible breaches of data protection regulations.

Sarah Shotton and Tristan Jeffrey strongly deny all of the allegations levelled against them by Martin Frost, chairman of Avocet Natural Capital PLC, which has 650 investors with stakes in the business said to be worth at least £22 million.

In separate interviews with Not Just Sheep & Rugby, Ms Shotton, a single mother of two children, and Mr Jeffrey, livestock manager on Avocet's Berwickshire farms, revealed they have raised employment tribunal cases against their former employers to try to recover thousands of pounds in unpaid wages, holiday pay and payments in lieu of notice.

Mr Frost says Avocet has lodged defences with the tribunal service based on 'alleged criminality' by both Ms Shotton and Mr Jeffrey.

However, Ms Shotton said a police statement to the tribunal would confirm they were not investigating any 'alleged crime' involving her.

                                           SARAH SHOTTON'S STORY

In a letter to shareholders earlier today, Mr Frost writes about Ms Shotton's 'possible' involvement in a £4 million theft of the contents of Harcarse Hill farm house, the location for Avocet's 'revolutionary' agricultural techniques before the farming business encountered financial difficulties.

According to Mr Frost: "The administrators (of insolvent Orrdone Farms Ltd) with the assistance of Sarah Shotton and Duncan Orr (senior) gained entry into Harcarse Hill Farmhouse and effectively have stolen the contents belonging to me, my family, Loch Lomond Heritage Limited (one of Mr Frost's companies) and Omega Infinite Plc (another business, now in liquidation). 

"They appear to have stolen over £4 million pounds of property. In addition to this theft they allowed, nay appear to have encouraged members of the Orr family to destroy personal possessions, family photographs, and memorials and papers from my parents."

It is yet another accusation Ms Shotton has faced since leaving her office manager's post with Avocet in April after two years in the job. She told us: "I know that the administrators got access [to Harcarse Hill] as they took locksmiths to access and change locks.”

Earlier this month Ms Shotton was the target for another grave allegation, outlined in correspondence to his 650 shareholders by Mr Frost.

He stated: "This afternoon it came to my attention that the ‘Avocet Forum’ – an internet chat room promoted by Aileen Orr (Berwickshire farmer's wife) and nourished by Mr. W. Chisholm (owner of this blog) and Mr. David Liddle put out a spurious circular founded upon an email list rendered by former Avocet employee Ms.Sarah Shotton.

"Anyhow, (i) a complaint of a ‘Theft by a former employee’- which is a criminal offence under section 170 of the Data Protection Act 2018 and (ii) a complaint enveloping Shotton’s associates assistance were reported to the Northumberland Police. Though a criminal conviction is unlikely to carry more than a £10,000 fine per person – damages via civil suit are unlimited."

In a further attack on his ex-employee Mr Frost told company investors: "It does appear that Sarah Shotton may have fabricated her references to secure employment but without the Aileen (Orr) catalyst I doubt if she would have been so reckless with privileged information."

Said Ms Shotton today: "I’m getting blasted, maligned and criticised by Martin Frost in letters to his 650 shareholders of which I am one. I have done nothing wrong and I’m not prepared to put up with his false and groundless accusations."

And she claims: "When I was made redundant by Mr Frost I had not been paid about one and a half months of salary and received neither redundancy pay nor holiday pay. So I have taken the company to a tribunal".

Ms Shotton also told us how she discovered Avocet had apparently not paid her tax and National Insurance contributions for about a year which meant she could not be furloughed during the coronavirus lockdown.

"I was given no notice that I was to lose my job and I have been unable to find alternative work during lockdown", she said. "I am due about £10,000 from Avocet exclusive of any compensation. Had I been furloughed I would have been eligible for up to £2,500 a month from the Government scheme over a four month period. I am advised I am due that (furlough) money as well as pay in lieu of notice and holiday pay.

"I discovered tax and NI payments had not been made by Avocet since May 2019 when I tried to get a copy of a P45 and a P60 as well as a pay slip which I haven’t had either. My tribunal case is due to come up in October by which time I will have gone about nine months without any income".

When Avocet was asked to comment on Ms Shotton's and Mr Jeffrey's tribunal claims, Mr Frost told us: "As you will see both defences involve alleged criminality on the part of the claimant.

"For your information I understand that Ms. Shotton has admitted fault to the data breach (note:Ms Shotton assures us that is not the case)  – and regrettably both individuals now feature in the ‘Orr long fraud investigation’, details of which I am advised have been passed onto you."

Mr Frost attached copies of the Avocet defences.In Ms Shotton's case the response form carries the following statement: "Claimant has been paid, indeed overpaid for the actual time worked. Claimant has not been charged with the theft of items from Harcarse Hill Farm - that said subsequent investigations denote that the claimant appears to have conspired with the thieves to keep secret the stolen goods. Claimant admits to breach of her NDA and a criminal enquiry is proceeding concerning her involvement in data theft."

COMING NEXT: TRISTAN JEFFREY'S STORY