An employment tribunal has dismissed a sex discrimination case brought by female Royal Navy pilot trainee Hannah McCann against the Ministry of Defence, striking out her claims before a full hearing. According to reports, Hannah McCann was training to be a pilot at the Royal Naval Air Station in Yeovilton, Somerset. She received initial flight training from an employee of Babcock International Group, a contractor named only as 'Mr Pearson', between February and May 2023, with instruction on flying light aircraft to standards set by the Ministry of Defence.
On May 4, 2023, McCann failed her Final Aptitude Test, conducted by her Royal Navy commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Clinton, and as a result was unable to pass to the next stage of pilot training and left service with the Royal Navy. The tribunal dismissed the case because the Ministry of Defence could not be held vicariously liable for the trainer's alleged actions, as the instructor was a contractor, not employed directly by the Navy. The Ministry had given Babcock International Group a contract to provide training, and it was the Ministry's responsibility to select, grade, or withdraw trainee pilots, not Babcock's.
Were it not for his acts of direct discrimination and harassment, she would still be serving in the Royal Navy, but his 'gatekeeping' role prevented her from doing so.
The Ministry applied for the complaints against Mr Pearson to be struck out due to lack of vicarious liability. McCann blamed her failure on her instructor, claiming he failed to provide proper education and left her with a knowledge gap, and she alleged the trainer's actions amounted to sex discrimination and sex harassment. According to reports, Hannah McCann described that Mr Pearson exercised a 'gatekeeping' function in the decision as to whether or not she would pass her training.
According to reports, Hannah McCann also described the consequences of Mr Pearson's actions as devastating for her, both in terms of her planned military career and her emotional wellbeing. The tribunal did not detail what specific evidence McCann provided to support her claims of sex discrimination and harassment, and it is unclear whether Mr Pearson or Babcock International Group have responded to the allegations or faced any separate actions.
The consequences of Mr Pearson's actions were devastating for [Miss McCann], both in terms of her planned military career and her emotional wellbeing.