Paul Kent Settles Unfair Dismissal Case Against News Corp After Pub Fight Controversy
Paul Kent has settled his unfair dismissal case with News Corp after being terminated following a brawl outside a Sydney pub. The former rugby league pundit was fired on May 30 while facing charges of affray, later pleading guilty and receiving a good behaviour bond. Kent claimed he was unfairly treated during domestic violence hearings and faced income loss, alongside disclosing he has Asperger's syndrome. Both parties have now resolved the matter.
Paul Kent, a former rugby league pundit, has reached a settlement in his wrongful dismissal case against News Corp. The resolution follows his termination after a public altercation outside a pub in Sydney. Kent's dismissal and subsequent legal battles have drawn significant media attention.
Kent's Dismissal and Legal Troubles
Paul Kent was terminated from his position at News Corp on May 30 while facing court for affray stemming from a drunken altercation that occurred on April 27. Following this incident, Kent pleaded guilty and received a good behaviour bond as part of his sentencing. His employment was previously interrupted in 2023 when he faced domestic violence charges, which were ultimately dismissed.
Claims of Unfair Treatment
In his unfair dismissal claim, Kent labeled his termination as a 'sham', asserting that he was not given a fair opportunity to present his side of the story. The legal documents indicated that he felt he lacked the presumption of innocence during the domestic violence hearings, leading to a loss of income for seven months. Additionally, Kent has been managing a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome for nearly a decade, which his legal team argued constitutes a disability under applicable law.
Settlement Reached
According to reports from the Sydney Morning Herald, both Kent and News Corp have now reached a settlement, effectively resolving the legal dispute. Kent has chosen not to comment further on the matter when approached by the publication, while News Corp has also remained silent regarding the settlement details.
Background of the Incident
Kent was involved in a street brawl in April, which was reportedly captured on video, depicting him engaging in a confrontation with a man named Tamer Uzun. During the incident, witnesses noted Kent's aggressive behavior, which escalated to physical violence. His attorney, George Elias, stated that the altercation resulted in Kent being hospitalized with five broken ribs and a suspected collapsed lung, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
