Ex-Peterborough council leader denies discrimination claims

Ex-Peterborough council leader Wayne Fitzgerald denies discrimination claims made by a former council employee at an employment tribunal

A Conservative former council leader is embroiled in employment tribunal proceedings after being accused of disability discrimination.

Wayne Fitzgerald was removed as Peterborough City Council leader following defections and a no-confidence vote in November.

A former council employee has taken legal action against the council and Mr Fitzgerald.

Mr Fitzgerald and the council both deny claims made against them.

A judge has overseen a preliminary hearing at an employment tribunal in Cambridge.

Judge Louise Brown dealt with a number of legal issues and said she aimed to reconsider the case in the near future.

'Unfair dismissal'

Mr Fitzgerald was not at the hearing - although he, and the council, were represented by a lawyer.

Judge Brown said a woman who had worked as a lawyer at the council had alleged disability discrimination and race discrimination.

The judge said the woman had also indicated that she planned to make an unfair dismissal claim.

Mr Fitzgerald said he did not wish to comment.

A council spokeswoman added: "This relates to a claim made by a former employee of the council and we cannot comment any further at this time."

The BBC has decided not to name the woman bringing the claim.

The city council is currently led by the Peterborough First group as a minority administration. Its leader is Mohammed Farooq, who was formerly a Conservative councillor.