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Date: | Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:36:21 +0100 |
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6960763.stm
Breastfeeding mayor wins sex case
*A former mayor has won a discrimination case against a Greater
Manchester council after she was banned from using a civic car while
breastfeeding. *
Manchester County Court ruled that Trafford Council had failed to
support Dr Pauleen Lane's choice to breastfeed her son and fulfil her
role as mayor.
Dr Lane was awarded £7,000 compensation which she plans to give to charity.
Council chief executive David McNulty said he was disappointed with the
outcome of the case.
The council also has to pay legal costs, estimated at about £170,000.
*'First citizen' *
"We believe this matter should never have come to court. We take our
equalities duties very seriously," Mr McNulty said.
"The reputation and dignity of our mayor as our first citizen is
important to the council as it is to local people.
"We have done and will continue to do our best to uphold the reputation
of this civic post."
Dr Lane gave birth to her son two months before she became mayor in June
2005 and decided to breast-feed her son for the first 12 months of his
life.
She had to drive behind the mayoral vehicle in her own car when she took
her baby on official engagements.
She was claiming discrimination against Trafford Council for being
treated unfavourably due to her sex and welcomed the ruling.
Dr Lane said: "The council could have avoided this court action. Two
years ago I offered them the option of giving me an apology and making a
£5,000 donation to Trafford Victim and Witness Support. They never got
back to me.
"It's been a very stressful two years. I still don't feel the council
understands they have done anything wrong.
"The ruling has gone in my favour but I don't have an apology."
The judge at the hearing, which took place in Bury, said that Ms Lane
had had no choice but to resort to court action.
The leader of Trafford Council, Susan Williams, said Councillor Lane had
"deprived the council of money that should be spent on service users in
the borough, many of whom are very vulnerable young and older people".
Dr Lane said she had no plans to stand down as a councillor for the
Longford ward.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/manchester/6960763.stm
Published: 2007/08/23 17:42:53 GMT
© BBC MMVII
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