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Tory MP Richard Drax cleared over sexual harassment allegations Tory MP Richard Drax cleared over sexual harassment allegations
(4 months later)
A Conservative MP has spoken of his family's relief after their lesbian housekeeper had her case for sexual harassment and unfair dismissal thrown out.A Conservative MP has spoken of his family's relief after their lesbian housekeeper had her case for sexual harassment and unfair dismissal thrown out.
South Dorset MP Richard Drax wept as the unanimous decision of an employment tribunal was reached. He said afterwards that the claims had been "extremely stressful" for his family.South Dorset MP Richard Drax wept as the unanimous decision of an employment tribunal was reached. He said afterwards that the claims had been "extremely stressful" for his family.
Employment judge Roger Peters told the employment tribunal in Southampton that the events described by Anne Lyndoe-Tavistock did not happen. Lyndoe-Tavistock, who has waived her right to anonymity, alleged that Drax and his wife, Elsebet, sexually touched her and she fled.Employment judge Roger Peters told the employment tribunal in Southampton that the events described by Anne Lyndoe-Tavistock did not happen. Lyndoe-Tavistock, who has waived her right to anonymity, alleged that Drax and his wife, Elsebet, sexually touched her and she fled.
But the panel of three did not believe her, saying she had acted normally after the alleged incident and had not confided in anyone, as they would have expected.But the panel of three did not believe her, saying she had acted normally after the alleged incident and had not confided in anyone, as they would have expected.
The MP and his wife denied all the allegations and Lyndoe-Tavistock's claims of sexual harassment, unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and unpaid holiday pay were all dismissed.The MP and his wife denied all the allegations and Lyndoe-Tavistock's claims of sexual harassment, unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and unpaid holiday pay were all dismissed.
The judge said Lyndoe-Tavistock's allegation that Drax and his wife tried to silence her two weeks after the alleged incident was "utterly incredible". "The event did not happen. There was no attempt to silence the claimant. The claim fails and is dismissed."The judge said Lyndoe-Tavistock's allegation that Drax and his wife tried to silence her two weeks after the alleged incident was "utterly incredible". "The event did not happen. There was no attempt to silence the claimant. The claim fails and is dismissed."
Lyndoe-Tavistock's solicitor, Dawn Gallie, said her client would consider an appeal.Lyndoe-Tavistock's solicitor, Dawn Gallie, said her client would consider an appeal.
During the three-day hearing, the estranged partner of Lyndoe-Tavistock said she had exaggerated claims that she was touched on the breast by a male colleague at a previous employer to get money. She said in a statement: "I believe she [Lyndoe-Tavistock] has concocted the allegations in her claim form to cause embarrassment to [the couple] and their family in the expectation that she will receive a financial settlement."During the three-day hearing, the estranged partner of Lyndoe-Tavistock said she had exaggerated claims that she was touched on the breast by a male colleague at a previous employer to get money. She said in a statement: "I believe she [Lyndoe-Tavistock] has concocted the allegations in her claim form to cause embarrassment to [the couple] and their family in the expectation that she will receive a financial settlement."
She also said that Lyndoe-Tavistock provided false information to the previous employment tribunal. She received a payment of nearly £16,000 after the tribunal found in her favour, the hearing was told. Lyndoe-Tavistock's former partner said the politician and his wife were good employers who had been courteous to the claimant.She also said that Lyndoe-Tavistock provided false information to the previous employment tribunal. She received a payment of nearly £16,000 after the tribunal found in her favour, the hearing was told. Lyndoe-Tavistock's former partner said the politician and his wife were good employers who had been courteous to the claimant.
She described her former partner as aggressive and liable to displays of erratic behaviour.She described her former partner as aggressive and liable to displays of erratic behaviour.
Lyndoe-Tavistock alleged that weeks after the alleged touching incident she was asked to move out of the house and given £300 in cash, which she felt gave her no choice but to resign.Lyndoe-Tavistock alleged that weeks after the alleged touching incident she was asked to move out of the house and given £300 in cash, which she felt gave her no choice but to resign.
The couple said she quit after they told her disciplinary proceedings were being brought against her because of her dealings with other members of staff. In a statement with his wife by his side, Drax said: "We welcome the decision of the tribunal today. We have strenuously denied the allegations over many months. We are grateful that the employment tribunal has properly and carefully considered the allegations and concluded they were all untrue.The couple said she quit after they told her disciplinary proceedings were being brought against her because of her dealings with other members of staff. In a statement with his wife by his side, Drax said: "We welcome the decision of the tribunal today. We have strenuously denied the allegations over many months. We are grateful that the employment tribunal has properly and carefully considered the allegations and concluded they were all untrue.
"These allegations have been extremely stressful for my wife and I, and my children and my family. We are now relieved that we can put this behind us.""These allegations have been extremely stressful for my wife and I, and my children and my family. We are now relieved that we can put this behind us."
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