The driver of a bin lorry that crashed killing six people had “satisfactory” references when he joined Glasgow City Council but they are no longer held on record, an inquiry has heard.
Harry Clarke was driving the council truck in Glasgow city centre on December 22 last year when it went out of control after witnesses reported he appeared to lose consciousness at the wheel.
A fatal accident inquiry set up to investigate the tragedy has already heard that Mr Clarke had suffered a “blackout” at the wheel of a bus in his previous job in 2010 and had also faced disciplinary proceedings for absences.
However, his “employee exit form” completed on leaving First Bus, and shown to the inquiry today, made no mention of absence or disciplinary issues.
Mr Clarke did not mention the First Bus incident or any other health issues when applying for a job at Glasgow City Council in December 2010 or in subsequent applications and health checks, the inquiry has heard.
Giving evidence today, Geraldine Ham, a human resources manager at the council, said references from previous employers were sought during the job application process but Mr Clarke’s are “not held in his file”.
Questioned by Solicitor General Lesley Thomson QC, Ms Ham said: “We’ve not been able to find them.”
Council emails shown to the inquiry from March 2011 stated that references had been received for a series of job applicants, including Mr Clarke.
A council manager dealing with the issue replied to the email, writing: “I can confirm that I am satisfied with all the references.”
The inquiry has previously heard about a final formal written warning Mr Clarke was given by First Bus over his attendance record, and today Ms Thomson showed the inquiry a disciplinary letter sent to Mr Clarke in 2010 for departing from a bus stop early.
However, his “employee exit form” completed on leaving First Bus in December 2010 said he was “suitable for re-engagement” and listed no absence or disciplinary issues.
After reviewing Mr Clarke’s absence and disciplinary record in his final two years at First Bus, Ms Thomson asked the witness if he would have got the job if the council had known about it.
Ms Ham said: “If Mr Clarke withheld information relevant to his application, the offer could have been withdrawn.”
Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, from Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, were struck and killed by the vehicle.
Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, also died.