I understand that employees invited to attend disciplinary hearings should be advised of their right to be accompanied by a colleague or trade union representative.. but I have 2 questions :

1) does that offer have to also include being accompanied by a friend or relative?

and

2) if two employees, whilst working together, are suspected of a serious breach of contract – and both have been invited to hearings, am I within my rights to stipulate that each should not be accompanied by the other?

Many thanks!

Darren Lovatt