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Breastfeeding mayor wins sex case Breastfeeding mayor wins sex case
(about 2 hours later)
A former mayor has won a discrimination case against a Greater Manchester council after she was banned from using a civic car while breastfeeding.A former mayor has won a discrimination case against a Greater Manchester council after she was banned from using a civic car while breastfeeding.
Manchester County Court ruled that Trafford council had failed to support Dr Pauleen Lane's choice to breastfeed her son and fulfil her role as mayor. Manchester County Court ruled that Trafford Council had failed to support Dr Pauleen Lane's choice to breastfeed her son and fulfil her role as mayor.
Dr Lane was awarded £7,000 compensation which she plans to give to charity.Dr Lane was awarded £7,000 compensation which she plans to give to charity.
Council chief executive David McNulty said he was disappointed with the outcome of the case.Council chief executive David McNulty said he was disappointed with the outcome of the case.
Civic post The council also has to pay legal costs, estimated at about £170,000.
"We believe this matter should never have come to court. We take our equalities duties very seriously," he said. 'First citizen'
"We believe this matter should never have come to court. We take our equalities duties very seriously," Mr McNulty said.
"The reputation and dignity of our mayor as our first citizen is important to the council as it is to local people."The reputation and dignity of our mayor as our first citizen is important to the council as it is to local people.
"We have done and will continue to do our best to uphold the reputation of this civic post.""We have done and will continue to do our best to uphold the reputation of this civic post."
Dr Lane had to drive behind in her own car when she took her baby on official engagements Dr Lane gave birth to her son two months before she became mayor in June 2005 and decided to breast-feed her son for the first 12 months of his life.
She was claiming discrimination against Trafford Council for being treated unfavourably due to her sex. I still don't feel the council understands they have done anything wrong Pauleen Lane, councillor
The judge in the case said that Ms Lane had had no choice but to resort to court action. She had to drive behind the mayoral vehicle in her own car when she took her baby on official engagements.
She was claiming discrimination against Trafford Council for being treated unfavourably due to her sex and welcomed the ruling.
Dr Lane said: "The council could have avoided this court action. Two years ago I offered them the option of giving me an apology and making a £5,000 donation to Trafford Victim and Witness Support. They never got back to me.
"It's been a very stressful two years. I still don't feel the council understands they have done anything wrong.
"The ruling has gone in my favour but I don't have an apology."
The judge at the hearing, which took place in Bury, said that Ms Lane had had no choice but to resort to court action.
The leader of Trafford Council, Susan Williams, said Councillor Lane had "deprived the council of money that should be spent on service users in the borough, many of whom are very vulnerable young and older people".
Dr Lane said she had no plans to stand down as a councillor for the Longford ward.