Former Stringfellows lapdancer pursuing unfair dismissal appeal

A former lapdancer who worked at the club Stringfellows has won a landmark ruling from the Employment Appeal Tribunal, granting her the right to appeal a previous decision.

Nadine Quashie is hoping to become the first stripper to sue for unfair dismissal, claiming club owner Peter Stringfellow took up to 25 per cent of her earnings before sacking her and forced strippers to perform nude dances for his friends free of charge.

The initial tribunal dismissed her case, claiming the 29-year-old could not sue the club because she was self-employed.

Ms Quashie, who used to be a human rights campaigner, is hopeful her dispute will help thousands of other lapdancers who are exploited by their employers and have been unable to sue.

"I want dancers to have the same employment rights as others," she told the Evening Standard last week. "I hope a positive outcome will help bring about better regulation of the industry."

In the latest ruling, Judge Jeremy McMullen indicates Ms Quashie's scheduled work arrangements at Stringfellows placed a corresponding obligation on the club's part to allow her to work and pay her accordingly.

Ms Quashie claims the club did not allow her to work anywhere else and the mutual obligations demonstrate she was a Stringfellows employee.

Published by Tessa Jones