Surgeon pays out over sexual harassment

A Harley Street surgeon has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 to his practice manager for subjecting her to what she described as an "intolerable series of sexual approaches".

An employment tribunal had heard how consultant Richard Slee showered Lynn Farrar with inappropriate gifts, including red roses, sex books, perfume and black lace underwear.

Mr Slee, 68, had worked with 42-year-old Mrs Farrar for four and a half years at his administration centre based in his Swindon flat.

But during the last year of Mrs Farrar's employment, when he found out she had separated from her husband, Mr Slee "engaged in a campaign" to seduce her, the tribunal heard.

Karma Sutra

Mr Slee was ordered to pay £10,200 compensation at a hearing after single mother-of-two Mrs Farrar won her claims for sexual harassment and unfair constructive dismissal.

Mr Slee accepted that he bought her a Valentine's card, six red roses, expensive nail polish, perfume, a black bra and other clothes. She always rejected the gifts.

He also left her books including "How to Seduce" and "The Art of Female Orgasm" and offered her the use of a black silk dress and his shower while he was away.

A copy of the Karma Sutra was left around his office-cum-home but Mr Slee claimed it was not a gift for Mrs Farrar, but just one of his books.

'Touchy feely'

Mr Slee's solicitor David Fletcher, said the divorced surgeon was simply a "warm, generous, sympathetic" man.

Mr Slee said the presents were a "fun gesture" and he felt "she deserved it".

The surgeon denied ever making any sexual advances towards her or wanting an affair with Mrs Farrar.

Mrs Farrar said she was "horrified" by being given underwear by her employer and used to go home and shower if Mr Slee, who admitted being "very touchy feely", touched her.