Protesters gathered outside Whipps Cross Hospital last night to protest against the sacking of a senior union representative.

Following a disciplinary hearing, Charlotte Monro, chairwoman for Unison’s Waltham Forest health branch, was last week dismissed from her position of moving and handling coordinator at the Leytonstone hospital, having worked there for 26 years.

A vocal campaigner for staff rights, Ms Monro claims she was dismissed as a result of her union work.

But Barts Health trust, which runs the hospital, says Ms Monro was removed because of personal conduct on a range of allegations and not for raising concerns about safety.

She said: “People are shocked and angry because they see this as an attack on unions and the right to speak out.

“I’ve been dismissed because of my union work, there’s no question in my mind about that.

“The trust is saying this is because of my personal conduct, but my personal conduct is that I’ve worked hard and stood up for the patients and staff of this hospital for 26 years.”

Ms Monro, hailed by bosses as one of Whipps Cross’ greatest champions after a 2009 campaign to save the hospital, said she will appeal the decision.

She said disciplinary action began against her when she expressed concerns about changes to stroke services at a council meeting.

“The trust disagreed with these concerns and they’ve therefore termed what I said as inaccurate information,” she added.

“I think the action against me has serious implications for the rights of people in the community to speak up as well as the rights of staff.

“We have to speak out about our concerns, we have to raise these with our trust.

“The hospital doesn’t belong to the board, it belongs to the people who use it.”

The trust refused to comment further in light of a potential appeal.