I am due to attend an appeal hearing later this week following summary dismissal for gross misconduct. I wish to present as much as evidence as possible in order to demonstrate that I am an innocent.

ACAS informed me that it is EXTREMELY rare for an appeal to be successful ( less than 1% likelihood), but if in due course ( ie < 3 months) I submit a claim for unfair dismissal then it will ultimately for the Judge and not my biased employer to form a judgement as to whether it was fair to dismiss me.

Sadly, there is/ was some key information that further demonstrates my innocence on my work computer. I have made a fair and reasonable request for my former employer to allow me to examine the contents of my PC, but to date they have not responded, and I suspect that they will just ignore my request. I fear that my former employer may have already deleted all the documents that I am seeking.

What rights do I have at this stage to gain access to my computer..ie is it a reasonable request..and if it is, how do I enforce this right ? Alternatively, will I be forced to wait until the Tribunal process commences and seek such info under specific disclosure. Such a delay would, however, concern me as by then I would not put it past my employer to have either sent my old PC to a scrap yard or incinerated it !

I welcome your thoughts.

Regards