Choice of Speaker 'angered' Ford

By Judith Cummings
BBC News

David Ford and Stephen Farry have been named in the claimants statement

Alliance Party leader David Ford was so angered by his deputy's appointment as Assembly Speaker he complained to the NI Secretary, a tribunal has heard.

The allegation was made by party employee Margaret Hawkins during an industrial tribunal on Monday.

Mrs Hawkins said Mr Ford phoned Peter Hain in 2006 to complain about the appointment of Eileen Bell as Speaker.

She has taken a case against the party and Mr Ford citing age, gender and disability discrimination.

The Alliance Party will answer the claims in the coming days.

The claimant also alleged that Mr Ford was so angered by the appointment that he "demanded it be revoked".

Mrs Bell was at that time deputy leader of the Alliance Party and the claimant said that Mr Ford was of the opinion that Mrs Bell would be "out of her depth" as Speaker.

'Bullied'

Mrs Hawkins also claimed that since 2003 longstanding party member and MLA Stephen Farry had "constantly bullied her".

The claimant, who has worked for the party since July 2000, said she had been a victim of "harassment and bullying" and had been "singled out for demotion".

Mrs Hawkins, 60, has worked for the party in a number of administrative positions, as Mr Ford's personal assistant, in the constituency offices of Mr Ford and Naomi Long, at party headquarters and at parliament buildings.

In August 2005 she was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and said the condition began to impair the speed with which she completed some of her tasks at work.

The claimant alleges that on 30 August 2007, following a staffing review about which she was not consulted, she was informed her salary was to be cut by about £7,000.

'Humiliating'

She said she was "harangued" by Mr Farry, that he would "tut, sigh and make remarks about her" in front of other staff, and that she left the office each day "feeling humiliated and extremely upset".

In July of 2003 Mrs Hawkins said she approached Mr Ford about her issues with Mr Farry, she said she was told to "take a week off on the sick".

The claimant said that as her condition progressed that Mr Farry had an "attitude of impatience around me".

From June to October 2005 Mrs Hawkins was unable to work, due to her osteoarthritis.

She said on her return to work when Mr Ford was informed of her need to periodically take three days off work to seek medical treatment he was reluctant to let her go.

A compromise was reached when she agreed to have the office landline transferred to her mobile. Mrs Hawkins said this also happened during her annual leave and that no-one else in the office was made to do it.

The case continues.