AN EMPLOYEE of a Runcorn chemical firm lost an unfair dismissal claim against his father following a family feud.

Sean Ruane, who now works for Runcorn-based M56 Chemicals, lost a claim for unfair dismissal against his dad, Michael, managing director of Scientific Glass Laboratories (SGL) in Stoke.

Mr Ruane Snr said the decision of an employment tribunal at Shrews-bury was a vindication of the company's employment policies.

The tribunal heard a family feud at the Tunstall firm resulted in one brother being physically attacked, another being sacked and a third resigning.

Mr Ruane Snr, who founded the business in 1968, said: 'We have come through what has been a difficult time and now it's time for us to move on.

'Sean left the business six months ago.

'We have not needed to find someone else for his position and we are flourishing.

'The remaining workforce are fully supportive of myself and the company and we will now, hopefully, put this behind us and will continue to prosper.'

Sean Ruane, 41, who had worked at the firm for 24 years, was dismissed following a disciplinary hearing in July 2005, at which he was accused of threatening and intimidating his younger brother and fellow SGL employee Mark.

The tribunal heard how a dispute between the brothers, over Mark's use of company resources to sell trading cards over the internet, culminated in Sean grabbing his younger brother round the neck on April 20 and threatening him.

Sean said he was unfairly dismissed from the company, where he worked as a manager.

Dr Mark Eckersley, managing director of M56 Chemicals and Laboratory Supplies, said: 'Sean is moving on from all this and is an asset to our business.

'Our gain is the father's loss.' Sean said: 'I take great comfort in knowing that I have a loving wife, two exceptional children, my brother Michael who resigned from SGL on principle and the support of many good friends too numerous to mention.

'I look forward to my future with Dr Mark Eckersley and all the staff at M56 Chemical and Laboratory Supplies, who were there and believed in me when my parents turned their backs on me.'