JetBlue Airways has condemned Lawrence Scott for attempting “to mislead the community” as to why he lost his supervisor job with the airline.

The New York-based operator, which normally does not comment on employment matters in the media, departed from protocol to denounce the Progressive Labour Party MP’s claims that he was fired for political reasons.

JetBlue corporate communications manager Elizabeth Ninomiya added that the company was looking forward to exposing the truth behind the shadow transport minister’s termination once the matter reaches court.

But Mr Scott rejected the allegations of “serious misconduct” and challenged his former employers to say exactly what that “misconduct” was.

Yesterday morning, Ms Ninomiya contacted The Royal Gazette to issue the following statement: “JetBlue takes seriously its responsibility to offer crew members a respectful and fair workplace.

“In any case where crew member misconduct is suspected, a full investigation is conducted before the crew member can be separated from the company.

“Public claims by Mr Scott that his termination was based on factors other than his own non-compliance with JetBlue policies are an attempt to mislead the community on the realities surrounding this case.

“JetBlue does not intend to engage in public arguments on this matter and respects the process set forth by the judicial system in Bermuda.

“We look forward to presenting the court with the facts, which will demonstrate that Mr Scott’s termination was based solely on serious misconduct during his employment with JetBlue.”

Last night Mr Scott questioned what JetBlue’s investigation had revealed about his claims that a senior representative from the airline’s governmental affairs team had told him the company was receiving pressure from Aecon as a result of his opposition to the airport redevelopment.

He added: “It is interesting that they talk about a full investigation having been conducted because I would like to know what that has revealed.

“I would also like to know why, having previously said they do not comment on individual cases, they have now come out and made this comment. This disagreement is the reason why I am taking them to court. I maintain there was no misconduct.

“The timing of all of this is very coincidental and I was raised to believe there is no such thing as coincidence.”

On Monday, Mr Scott claimed that he was dismissed in April due to his stance against the Government’s $250 million redevelopment of L.F. Wade International Airport.

Mr Scott claimed a senior JetBlue employee told him that Aecon, the Canadian construction company handling the project, had pressured JetBlue into firing him.

The official reason given for his termination, he said, related to the “charitable donation” of air tickets he had made in 2015, although a leaked copy of his termination letter suggested otherwise.

The Warwick South East MP, who has filed for wrongful dismissal in the Supreme Court and lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, is being supported by his party over the matter.

Acting Opposition leader David Burt said: “The PLP unreservedly condemns this unjust targeting of Mr Scott, and we will continue to stand by him as he seeks full legal redress.”

Mr Scott also suggested that the move was linked to a meeting held in New York in February, attended by Michael Dunkley, the Premier, Shawn Crockwell, in his former capacity as Minister of Tourism Development and Transport, Cabinet Secretary Derrick Binns, senior JetBlue figures including chief executive officer Robin Hayes and representatives from Bermuda’s aviation and tourism industries.

However, a non-political Royal Gazette source who attended the meeting confirmed on Wednesday that Mr Scott’s name did not feature in the discussions.

Mr Scott’s accusations also drew the ire of the Premier, who on Wednesday said: “It is extremely concerning, regrettable and dangerous that the Opposition can publicly make false declarations and unsubstantiated allegations and try to peddle them as fact.

“Quite simply, the allegations are false and what is being suggested by the shadow minister did not happen.”

Earlier this week, Aecon president Steve Nackan said that the issue was strictly between JetBlue and Mr Scott, and that his company was focusing on “the development of a world-class airport for Bermuda”.