Gay policeman settles claim

07 December 2005 08:50

A gay police officer who accused Norfolk Constabulary of homo-phobic bullying and discrimina-tion accepted a £30,000 out-of-court settlement yesterday.

Insp Neil Ferguson, 45, originally lodged a claim for £400,000 against the force and Norfolk Police Authority over claims that he became a victim of homophobia.

The money was to cover future loss of earnings and pension rights.

He had been due to take both parties to a Norwich employment tribunal alleging discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

But the hearing, which was scheduled to start yesterday and run for 10 days, was dismissed after Insp Ferguson withdrew his claims and accepted the out-of- court settlement.

It came with an agreement that he remain in his job with the £30,000 awarded for "injury to health and feelings", despite the police authority and the constabulary denying the allegations.

Speaking after the hearing, Insp Ferguson, who is still on long-term sick leave, said he could only describe what he had suffered as an "ordeal".

His solicitor, Kim Roberts, said his position within the force was still to be finalised following the action.

Ms Roberts issued a statement on his behalf which said: "As far as settlement is concerned, the original claim for £400,000 reflected future loss of both earnings and pension rights over potentially 15 years.

"The settlement we have reached today does not encompass any future loss as it is based on Mr Ferguson remaining in service on full salary with his pension rights unaffected.

"The sum of £30,000 was paid on account of injury to Mr Ferguson's health and feelings caused by the alleged discrimination and was an entirely acceptable settlement on that basis."

Solicitor Angela Black, on behalf of Norfolk Police Authority and Norfolk Constabulary, said: "The police authority and constabulary strongly denied these allegations.

"We can report we have reached an amicable settlement at £30,000 and the provision of ongoing support to Insp Ferguson. This resolution did not involve any allocation of blame.

"Norfolk Constabulary's Deputy Chief Constable Simon Taylor was nominated by Insp Ferguson and consequently received a prestigious national award in 2003 in recognition of his work on diversity."

Jenny McKibben, police authority diversity lead member, said: "The police authority works with and closely monitors the constabulary to ensure that all staff are treated equally.

"The constabulary has made great strides in recent years to work with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities to improve its service to those communities and staff alike. Insp Ferguson played a valuable part in this work."

Insp Ferguson, who was the constabulary's gay liaison officer, has worked in the force since 1996.

He was openly homosexual, taking part in the Gay Pride march in Brighton last year and manning the Norfolk police recruitment stand at the event.

Email A Friend