'Massive' payout in bank sex case

Kay Swinburne left £300,000 job because of sexism

A former high-flying City banker has been awarded a "massive" damages payout after a sexual discrimination case.

In January, an employment tribunal found that Deutsche Bank failed to protect Kay Swinburne, from a "hostile environment" created by her male managers, one of whom refered to women as "hot totty".

Now Mrs Swinburne, 32, has agreed a secret settlement deal with her former employers on a condition that neither side will comment on the size of the payout.

But there is speculation that the settlement could be worth up to £1m.

Escort girls

The mother of one resigned from her £300,000-a-year job last year.

She claimed her manager Hugh Tidbury made sexist comments and helped nurture an atmosphere which drove her out.

Male staff organised escort girls to attend a Christmas party and one of the managers frequently referred to women colleagues as "hot totty","birds" or "chicks".

Inappropriate remarks

The Central London Employment Tribunal, found the bank guilty of sex discrimination, breach of contract and constructive dismissal.

The bank apologised after accepting that "inappropriate remarks" were made, but denied that Mrs Swinburne's career had been affected.

Deutsche Bank would only say in a brief statement: "The parties have reached a settlement, the terms of which are confidential."