The Wiltshire Times understands the crudely-installed camera found by a worker, was installed by a maintenance contractor at the request of a Cooper Tires manager. The company said yesterday disciplinary action had been taken against the employee responsible for what it called a “major error of judgment.”

An investigation launched by the company found the camera had been installed with the genuine motive of catching workers taking drugs but ruled the decision was unacceptable and went against company policy.

A spokesman said the camera was not operational and managers at the firm this week offered their “sincere apologies” to anyone affected by the incident.

But workers said they had not been kept informed about the investigation.

One said: “We feel we should have some kind of explanation.”

John McGookin, of the Unite union, said he had discussed the camera incident with company bosses this week.

He said: “This was somebody’s misguided approach to a concern. It’s something we have asked that the company ensures does not happen again.” (Tire Review/Akron)