The chief executive of Victim Support Northern Ireland has been dismissed after 10 years in the role and is suing the charity for unfair dismissal.

The charity, which has an annual income of £2.14m, has confirmed that Susan Reid has been dismissed.

VSNI trustee Tony Barclay resigned last year over complaints that staff were being bullied. The charity commissioned an independent investigation as a result of concerns he raised.

The charity said in a statement: "Following on from this investigation, a separate process was initiated under the organisation's disciplinary procedures and codes of conduct.

"This has resulted in VSNI's chief executive, Susan Reid, having her contract of employment terminated.

"The board of trustees would wish to point out that the issues dealt with were non-financial in nature."

It said it is continuing to deliver a full range of services, but it does not want to make any further comment on a decision subject to legal challenge.

Reid’s solicitor, Stephen Mearns, said she would sue for unfair dismissal.

"From our instructions, the evidence in this case will show that our client's dismissal was procedurally and substantively unfair in multiple respects,” he said.

“This gross unfairness pervaded the entirety of the disciplinary process. Our client denies all allegations and, on her behalf, we will be seeking substantial damages against VSNI.”