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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Gay soldier receives MoD apology | Gay soldier receives MoD apology |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A lesbian soldier who was subjected to a campaign of sexual harassment by a male sergeant has received an apology from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). | A lesbian soldier who was subjected to a campaign of sexual harassment by a male sergeant has received an apology from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). |
| Lance Bombardier Kerry Fletcher, 31, originally from Sheffield, won her claim that she was pestered for sex by the sergeant at a tribunal in 2007. | Lance Bombardier Kerry Fletcher, 31, originally from Sheffield, won her claim that she was pestered for sex by the sergeant at a tribunal in 2007. |
| She said she was humiliated at an Army stables in North Yorkshire and is seeking compensation of up to £400,000. | She said she was humiliated at an Army stables in North Yorkshire and is seeking compensation of up to £400,000. |
| At a hearing in Leeds on Wednesday, the MoD "offered an apology". | |
| Monica Carss-Frisk QC, representing the MoD, told the tribunal panel: "Can I just make it clear I do, on behalf of the MoD, offer an apology for the conduct that led to your findings." | Monica Carss-Frisk QC, representing the MoD, told the tribunal panel: "Can I just make it clear I do, on behalf of the MoD, offer an apology for the conduct that led to your findings." |
| Royal Artillery | Royal Artillery |
| Ms Fletcher, who now lives in Birmingham and is openly gay, said the sergeant and other male colleagues tried to destroy her career because she spurned his advances. | Ms Fletcher, who now lives in Birmingham and is openly gay, said the sergeant and other male colleagues tried to destroy her career because she spurned his advances. |
| The tribunal heard that the unnamed staff sergeant pestered Ms Fletcher for sex and sent her explicit text messages while she worked at the Army stables. | The tribunal heard that the unnamed staff sergeant pestered Ms Fletcher for sex and sent her explicit text messages while she worked at the Army stables. |
| She resigned in February after serving in the Army's Royal Artillery for 10 years. | She resigned in February after serving in the Army's Royal Artillery for 10 years. |
| John MacKenzie, representing Ms Fletcher, said his client had been forced to hand in her notice after she won her case. | John MacKenzie, representing Ms Fletcher, said his client had been forced to hand in her notice after she won her case. |
| But the MoD said it did not accept the soldier had tended her resignation as a result of discrimination. | But the MoD said it did not accept the soldier had tended her resignation as a result of discrimination. |
| Ms Carss-Frisk said it was likely the soldier would have left the Army anyway. | Ms Carss-Frisk said it was likely the soldier would have left the Army anyway. |
| Ms Fletcher is expected to know how much compensation she will receive from the MoD within 28 days. | Ms Fletcher is expected to know how much compensation she will receive from the MoD within 28 days. |