A FATHER of three who has had to live off benefits for 15 months has proved he was sacked unfairly.

Stephen Morris worked for MRDL, the Metrolink operator, for 14 years until he was fired in late 2014 after being accused of leaking pictures of a boss's diary.

However, an employment tribunal has ruled the 50-year-old, of Swinton Crescent, Unsworth, was unfairly dismissed.

MRDL would only say it has appealed the decision.

If that appeal fails, a remedy hearing will take place to establish how much money Mr Morris should be awarded.

He said: "It has been a difficult time for my whole family. I have a boy who is aged eight who was crying at school when other pupils talked about going on family holidays, because his daddy had lost his job."

Mr Morris started working for Metrolink in 2000 and has been an inspector, a driver and a supervisor.

MRDL took over the running of the tram system in 2011 and made a small number of staff redundant after a skills-scoring process.

The following month, a picture from an MRDL's manager’s diary emerged and was circulated among staff.

It appeared to show comments about whether particular employees were suitable for various roles and prompted questions from union officials.

After Mr Morris, a representative of the Unite union, raised a collective grievance with MRDL and referred to the image, the firm accused him of misusing confidential information and sacked him for gross misconduct.

However, the tribunal has ruled Mr Morris has been unfairly dismissed as his reference to the image was legitimate trade union activity.

Mr Morris said: "I was over the moon when I heard the outcome.

"I have not been paid since December, 2014 and have had to claim benefits. Two Christmases have been and gone since then and it has been a hard time.

"Getting a job has been hard because any prospective employer will want a reference.

"Hopefully, this will draw a line under what has been an awful experience."

An MRDL spokesman said: "We're currently in the position of appealing the judgement and therefore we are not in a position to speculate or comment at this time on what is an ongoing case."