Security worker fired for viewing CCTV wins £32k

A SECURITY manager at BBC Wales' headquarters was sacked following an allegation that he spent 12 hours poring over CCTV to find out who had made a mess in the kitchen.

- CONOR GOGARTY

Mohammad Rakib was fired by the broadcaster's security contractor, Mitie, after an investigation found he did not have a licence to review CCTV - but he has now won a £31,637 payout after a judge ruled he was unfairly dismissed.

Mr Rakib was a duty security manager for Mitie from April 2022 until his dismissal in September 2023. He managed a team of around five security officers at the BBC's Central Square building in Cardiff city centre.

The employment tribunal centred on the events of May 8, 2023, when he was alleged to have breached data protection rules by looking through CCTV footage in the control room without a suitable SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence.

According to Mitie's investigator, Martyn Barrass, Mr Rakib gave multiple explanations - at one point saying he reviewed the CCTV because another member of staff had misplaced a bag, and at another point saying he could not remember the reason.

Mr Rakib said during an investigation meeting: "I don’t know why. I don't really do CCTV reviews that often, but there was a reason why I was doing it."