Police went back on our deal - sex change PC (Shropshire Star)
Police went back on our deal - sex change PCSex change former Shropshire police officer Claire Ashton today accused police of going back on a deal struck with her when she was retired on medical grounds. The 47-year-old, formerly trained firearms expert Constable Tony Ashton, told an industrial tribunal at Shrewsbury: “I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse. I had no choice.” But the tribunal heard claims that Miss Ashton was the victim of a “continuing process” of sex discrimination. Miss Ashton told the hearing: “Part of the deal was employment as a civilian within the force at a reduced rate of pay. I was expecting to be able to continue my service with the West Mercia force for many years to come. Andas far as I am concerned West Mercia reneged on the deal when they dismissed me.” The tribunal was told that Miss Ashton, of Uffington, near Shrewsbury, retired on medical grounds at the end of March 1997 after she was diagnosed as a gender realignment case. She returned the following day on the civilian staff at Shrewsbury police station as a communications officer but lost her job when the force terminated her employment 12 months later. Today’s preliminary hearing was to consider an application by Miss Susan Belgrave, counsel for Miss Ashton, to amend her tribunal application so that complaints made outside the time limit could be included in her sex discrimination claim. Miss Belgrave claimed the treatment of Miss Ashton amounted to a continuing process of sex discrimination. The case is continuing. Copyright © 1999, The Shropshire Star |
