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Tory MP Huw Merriman faces harassment claim | Tory MP Huw Merriman faces harassment claim |
(4 days later) | |
A married Conservative MP has been accused of harassing a former colleague when they worked at a London bank. | A married Conservative MP has been accused of harassing a former colleague when they worked at a London bank. |
Solicitor Patronia Campbell claims she shunned Huw Merriman's sexual advances 18 months after a one night stand, a tribunal heard. | Solicitor Patronia Campbell claims she shunned Huw Merriman's sexual advances 18 months after a one night stand, a tribunal heard. |
Ms Campbell alleges she was unfairly dismissed when she was made redundant from Lehman Brothers in 2014. | Ms Campbell alleges she was unfairly dismissed when she was made redundant from Lehman Brothers in 2014. |
Mr Merriman, MP for Bexhill and Battle and a former Lehman's Brothers manager, denies anything sexual happened. | Mr Merriman, MP for Bexhill and Battle and a former Lehman's Brothers manager, denies anything sexual happened. |
Ms Campbell is also bringing a case for harassment and victimisation against Mr Merriman, Lehman Brothers International and another managing director, Tim Parsons. | Ms Campbell is also bringing a case for harassment and victimisation against Mr Merriman, Lehman Brothers International and another managing director, Tim Parsons. |
'In his pants' | 'In his pants' |
The East London Employment Tribunal heard how one night in June 2011, Ms Campbell asked her friend, Simon Carter, if Mr Merriman could stay on his sofa. | The East London Employment Tribunal heard how one night in June 2011, Ms Campbell asked her friend, Simon Carter, if Mr Merriman could stay on his sofa. |
She was staying at Mr Carter's East London address while her home was renovated, the panel heard. | She was staying at Mr Carter's East London address while her home was renovated, the panel heard. |
In a statement, Mr Carter said: "I met Mr Merriman briefly, offered him a glass of wine, chatted for a while then went to bed." | In a statement, Mr Carter said: "I met Mr Merriman briefly, offered him a glass of wine, chatted for a while then went to bed." |
He said Ms Campbell and Mr Merriman were drunk and cooked something to eat. | He said Ms Campbell and Mr Merriman were drunk and cooked something to eat. |
He said it was clear the two spent the night together and the next morning Mr Merriman emerged from the bathroom "sheepishly" in his pants. | He said it was clear the two spent the night together and the next morning Mr Merriman emerged from the bathroom "sheepishly" in his pants. |
After he left, Mr Carter said Ms Campbell admitted he had stayed in her bed. | After he left, Mr Carter said Ms Campbell admitted he had stayed in her bed. |
'Nothing sexual' | 'Nothing sexual' |
The tribunal heard it was unlike Ms Campbell to have a "casual fling" but that she told Mr Carter she and Mr Merriman had a brief relationship some years back. | The tribunal heard it was unlike Ms Campbell to have a "casual fling" but that she told Mr Carter she and Mr Merriman had a brief relationship some years back. |
Ms Campbell claims that 18 months later - at a work Christmas party in 2012 - Mr Merriman insinuated he wanted a sexual relationship. | |
She claims she turned him down and that he began criticising and harassing her. | She claims she turned him down and that he began criticising and harassing her. |
Mr Merriman denies the one night stand but accepts he went to Mr Carter's house because he had missed the last train. | Mr Merriman denies the one night stand but accepts he went to Mr Carter's house because he had missed the last train. |
The tribunal heard he claims "nothing sexual transpired" between him and Ms Campbell. | The tribunal heard he claims "nothing sexual transpired" between him and Ms Campbell. |
The tribunal continues. | The tribunal continues. |