The Richardsons trying it on, whatever next

Not correct. If the employer can demonstrate is that the end result would have been the same had the process been followed, then it is highly unlikely that an unfair dismissal claim would be sucessful.

Cheers - I was a bit shaky on that part.

I beg to differ somewhat - if the process isn't followed then its automatically unfair.

If the scenario you paint is realised however then the tribunal judge has the capacity to find the dismissal unfair but not require that the claimant receives any financial recompence.

This is because the financial awards from tribunals relate to losses (relating to lost earnings, future likely earnings etc..) and if the claimants would have been dismissed anyway then there would not have been any losses.

I have professional experience of representing SMEs through this process.

I'll bow to you on that one. Although I specialised in employment law when I first qualified, it is fifteen years since I represented someone in an industrial tribunal. Been purely crime since then.

You might be called upon if the Richardsons get any payout.