Councillor Dee Simson is the last person to complain about “stupid amounts of money” (Brighton youth charity under threat after compensation claim, The Argus, November 29).

I represented Carolyn Simmons who, as the office and finance worker at the Deans Youth Project, when she suspected fraud and the unlawful alteration of other workers’ contracts, reported it to the chair of trustees.

Instead of receiving the support of Coun Simson, Carolyn Simmons was herself dismissed on the false charge that she was herself guilty of theft and dishonesty by overpaying herself.

The employment tribunal decided, after hearing all the evidence, that this allegation had no substance.

However, it has and will seriously affect Carolyn’s ability to get a similar job and she is entitled to be compensated for her financial losses, both now and in the future.

It is a matter of public policy that whistleblowers should not be penalised for exposing wrongdoing.

Instead Coun Simson took the lead in dismissing Carolyn Simmons. We have put in two alternate claims – one for £33,000 if Carolyn is not reinstated, and one for a fifth of that amount if she is reinstated. However, no tribunal will order reinstatement if the original trustees are in place.

Coun Simson says, “The trustees are not resigning.” The question most people would ask is, why on earth not?

If Coun Simson is as committed to the Deans Youth Project as she says she is then, to paraphrase Macbeth, there is nothing she could do for it so much as her leaving of it.

Tony Greenstein, representative for claimant

Your story says the charity youth project which was set up to serve the four villages would have to close if a claim for compensation was too high.

How can a person’s reputation and job be restored to them after they have been sacked, not for dishonesty but for reporting someone else?

It must have been draining the Deans Project funds. Having supported the youth work locally for many years, and knowing how much work has gone into raising money for activities to interest the young people in the hope of reducing vandalism and antisocial activities, it is shameful that funds have been misused.

Let’s hope the woman who was brave enough to report someone for their behaviour receives decent recompense for the loss of her job and reputation.

The trustees of the charity may perhaps keep a closer eye on what is happening in future.

Sally Prince, Wilkinson Close, Rottingdean