RSPB volunteers and researchers stage mutiny after supervisor sacked over unfounded claims he handled Syrian refugee colleague ‘like a slave’
Volunteers staged a mass walkout after an RSPB manager of a nesting island was sacked over unfounded allegations he mistreated a Syrian refugee colleague.
Dr Paul Morrison, 72, had worked on Coquet Island, off Northumberland, for 38 years but was suspended following claims he treated Dr Ibrahim Alfarwi like a modern-day slave.
Dr Alfarwi was then appointed the new manager, prompting a furious backlash from colleagues who said Dr Morrison – who was also accused of ignoring safety protocols after a bird flu outbreak – had been a ‘truly devoted’ worker who treated his team ‘like family’.
Mr Morrison, who denied the claims, was reportedly paid a sum of damages following a lengthy legal battle with the charity.
It led one volunteer to accuse the RSPB of pushing their ‘diversity agenda’ by replacing a ‘privileged old English white man’, it was reported.
Dr Paul Morrison, 72, (pictured) worked on Coquet Island, off Northumberland, for 38 years
Dr Ibrahim Alfarwi (pictured) was later appointed the new manager of Coquet Island
Lord Ridley, a Tory peer who regularly visits the nesting island – which is home to 40,000 breeding seabirds including puffins and terns – said he was ‘shocked’ by the treatment of Dr Morrison.
Lord Ridley said: ‘For us Northumbrians, the thriving bird colony on Coquet Island is a very special place: roseate terns breed nowhere else in Britain and Paul Morrison had found ways to increase their numbers fivefold, a remarkable achievement.
‘When I was a trustee of the island’s owners, I was able to visit the island annually and I am shocked by the way Paul has been treated.’
Dr Morrison, a life member of the RSPB for 40 years, claimed he faced a barrage of allegations of ‘unacceptable behaviours’ and ‘when one allegation was disproved, along came the next one’.
In September 2022, he was called to a meeting with bosses and told he had been working illegal hours, and had not made proper arrangements for Dr Alfarwi to have time off and leave the island for two months.
At the time, the island faced an outbreak of avian flu that had already killed 5,000 birds and left volunteers close to breaking point from the heavy workload.
The weather was also making routine journeys to the mainland more complicated than usual.
The RSPB allegedly said Dr Morrison was ‘controlling, coercive and manipulative’.
An aerial view of Coquet Island, Northumberland where the RSPB have a sanctuary
He was also reportedly falsely accused of drinking while operating heavy machinery.
Long-term volunteer Hilary Brooker-Carey, who worked on Coquet Island for more than 30 years but left after Dr Morrison’s departure, said she found the accusations ‘hard to believe’ and said they were ‘obviously untrue’.
After Dr Morrison was replaced by Dr Alfarwi, video footage emerged of Dr Alfarwi chasing and stepping on the tail of a skua with suspected avian flu
The charity had launched an investigation into working practices on the island in September 2022 and Dr Morrison said he would have no problem making any changes requested.
But he was suspended for failing to assist Dr Alfarwi to leave the island at a specified time. The following January, the RSPB launched a second disciplinary process against Dr Morrison, and said he had not followed correct bird flu procedures.
Dr Morrison said this was before bird flu had been confirmed on the island and he had followed guidelines. He was sacked in March 2023, and other volunteers quit in support.
After Dr Morrison was replaced by Dr Alfarwi, video footage emerged of Dr Alfarwi chasing and stepping on the tail of a skua with suspected avian flu.
He allegedly wrung its neck and bashed its skull against a rock.
Ibrahim Alfarwi claimed he was instructed by Dr Morrison, who was still in charge at the time, to ‘end its suffering’. The RSPB cleared Dr Alfarwi of any wrongdoing
Dr Alfarwi allegedly wrung its neck and bashed its skull against a rock. The RSPB cleared him of any wrongdoing
Dr Alfarwi was not wearing PPE during the incident in August 2022, when avian flu was on the island.
He claimed he was instructed by Dr Morrison, who was still in charge at the time, to ‘end its suffering’. The RSPB cleared him of wrongdoing.
Dr Morrison said he did not instruct Dr Alfarwi to kill the bird and said it was ‘grossly irresponsible of him not [to] use the PPE which was available to him’.
An RSPB spokesman said: ‘It is correct that this individual no longer works for us.
‘The RSPB takes pride in being an organisation committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers are treated fairly and reasonably.
‘We will not be making further comment on issues relating to previous members of staff.’
