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Subject:
From:
Morgan Gallagher <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:36:21 +0100
Content-Type:
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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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