AN ENVIRONMENTAL campaigner was given a new job promoting Bolton Council’s recycling policy — but had the offer withdrawn because of critical comments he made about the authority in The Bolton News.

Chris Banks, aged 33, said he was 'humiliated' after being told to leave the premises on his first day at work.

Mr Banks, from Breightmet, had successfully interviewed for the role of waste and recycling engagement officer with MEL Research — a company contracted by the council to promote its policy of swapping residents’ grey waste bins for slimmer versions.

Mr Banks volunteers with a number of environmental groups in Bolton and regularly clears up fly-tipping around the borough. He has previously been critical of the slim bins policy in Bolton News articles because he believes it will lead to further rubbish being dumped in the town.

He said: “I mentioned that I had been featured in several articles in the paper and I actually brought some clippings to the interview because I thought it may have come up.

“But they said they were aware of it and the day after, I was offered the job. I was really pleased because it involved working in areas I am passionate about — such as recycling and looking after my home town.”

After turning up for work last Friday, Mr Banks was part-way through an induction and training session when a member of staff passed him a phone.

He said: “It was the man who had interviewed me on the line and he basically said that the company had been made aware of articles in the Bolton News where I had criticised the council and said they would not be unable to take me on.

“I was speechless — the call lasted about 45 seconds and I had to go back into the room and tell all the other new starters and trainers what had happened — it was completely humiliating.”

MEL Research has since contacted Mr Banks and said his job offer has only been temporarily withdrawn pending an investigation — but he said whatever the outcome he will not be returning to the role.

He said: “This happened in front of everyone which was really embarrassing and I then had to go and tell all my family and friends who had congratulated me on the job that I didn’t have it anymore.”

The news was particularly tough for Mr Banks as he has previously suffered with severe depression and agoraphobia and at one point had not left his house for two years.

He said: “I was so happy to have got to a point with my health where I could get into work again — it was a zero hours contract and badly paid but I didn’t care because it was in an area I am passionate about.

“Working with the voluntary groups in Bolton has been amazing and I have made so many friends but this has really pushed me back — it made me so angry and stressed.”

He has since submitted a complaint to MEL Research and managing director Karen Etheridge said it is being taken seriously.

She said: “Mr Banks has made an allegation and we are taking it very seriously and investigating it — as part of this process we are aiming to find a suitable time to meet with Mr Banks to discuss the issue.”

She added: “We are currently trying to decide whether there is a conflict of interest between Mr Banks and our client Bolton Council. Our main job is to protect our client and to make sure that anyone we employ is suitable.”