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Party discrimination case fails Party discrimination case fails
(10 minutes later)
A discrimination case brought against the Alliance Party has been dismissed by a Belfast employment tribunal.A discrimination case brought against the Alliance Party has been dismissed by a Belfast employment tribunal.
It comes after the Equality Commission withdrew its support for party employee Margaret Hawkins.It comes after the Equality Commission withdrew its support for party employee Margaret Hawkins.
This is understood to be linked to questions around a business degree Mrs Hawkins claimed to have from the University of Ulster.This is understood to be linked to questions around a business degree Mrs Hawkins claimed to have from the University of Ulster.
The commission has not clarified the reason for the withdrawal of its support.The commission has not clarified the reason for the withdrawal of its support.
Mrs Hawkins said she did not have the money to pursue the case on her own. A lawyer acting on behalf of the Alliance Party told the tribunal he believed there were sufficient grounds to prosecute Mrs Hawkins for perjury.
Mrs Hawkins said she did not have the money to pursue the case on her own. The tribunal chairman subsequently dismissed the case.
The 60-year-old had claimed she was a victim of age, gender and disability discrimination.The 60-year-old had claimed she was a victim of age, gender and disability discrimination.
She claimed, among a number of allegations, that since 2003 longstanding party member and MLA Stephen Farry had "constantly bullied her".She claimed, among a number of allegations, that since 2003 longstanding party member and MLA Stephen Farry had "constantly bullied her".
Mrs Hawkins also told the tribunal that party leader David Ford said that former Alliance MLA Eileen Bell would be "out of her depth" as Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.Mrs Hawkins also told the tribunal that party leader David Ford said that former Alliance MLA Eileen Bell would be "out of her depth" as Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Despite this outcome, I feel I did the right thing in bringing this case against the Alliance Party Margaret Hawkins
This was one of a number of submissions she made in relation to a sexist atmosphere existing within the party.This was one of a number of submissions she made in relation to a sexist atmosphere existing within the party.
Despite this outcome I feel I did the right thing in bringing this case against the Alliance Party Margaret Hawkins
She also alleged that she was not informed about a staffing review which led to her salary being cut by £7,000.She also alleged that she was not informed about a staffing review which led to her salary being cut by £7,000.
It was in relation to evidence about her and other party workers' qualifications and their suitability for various roles that Mrs Hawkins claimed that she had a business degree.It was in relation to evidence about her and other party workers' qualifications and their suitability for various roles that Mrs Hawkins claimed that she had a business degree.
A lawyer acting on behalf of the Alliance Party told the tribunal that he believed there were sufficient grounds to prosecute Mrs Hawkins for perjury. The Alliance Party's counsel said the party would seek "extensive and considerable costs".
He also said he would the party would seek "extensive and considerable costs". He said a number of members' reputations had been damaged due to Mrs Hawkins' "groundless allegations".
The lawyer said a number of Alliance Party members' reputations had been damaged due to Mrs Hawkins' "groundless allegations".
He added that while it was not his function to comment on whether the claimant had committed perjury he thought there was "sufficient material to contemplate a referral to the appropriate prosecution authorities".He added that while it was not his function to comment on whether the claimant had committed perjury he thought there was "sufficient material to contemplate a referral to the appropriate prosecution authorities".
After the Equality Commission withdrew its support, Mrs Hawkins told the tribunal: "I have no other means of funding this so I have no alternative but to withdraw.After the Equality Commission withdrew its support, Mrs Hawkins told the tribunal: "I have no other means of funding this so I have no alternative but to withdraw.
"Despite this outcome, I feel I did the right thing in bringing this case against the Alliance Party.""Despite this outcome, I feel I did the right thing in bringing this case against the Alliance Party."