Mr Banks admitted his actions and accepted it amounted to misconduct, but denied it was gross misconduct. Tuesday's hearing heard Mr Banks had made tea for colleagues when he saw the woman making her own tea after she was inadvertently missed from the round. Mr Yeo disputed the wording of the comment and said it was made "through embarrassment and had no malign purpose". The hearing was told the slap did not have a sexual motive and was not done to gratify Mr Banks. After the woman had finished her evidence, Mr Yeo said on behalf of Mr Banks: "He wishes to apologise to you.

Source: Daily Mirror September 29, 2020 19:18 UTC