A PRESTON woman has spoken of her relief after a tribunal upheld her claim of victimisation against a borough councillor.

Shirley Harrison, assistant director of legal and administration at Preston Borough Council, said she had been subject to "a vendetta" by Tory councillor and former town clerk/chief executive Geoff Driver.

The council was also implicated in the case, in which Mrs Harrison accused it of failing to protect her.

In March 1996 Coun Driver had taken early retirement from his job and Mrs Harrison claimed from that day on he set about undermining and humiliating her at every opportunity.

Coun Driver returned to the council as an elected member in 1999.

The chairman of the tribunal, which was held in Liverpool and concluded this week, E Lloyd Parry, said malice had been a prominent factor in Coun Driver's behaviour.

"His treatment of the applicant amounted to a vendetta," he said, adding that the council had been in a difficult position.

"A troublesome councillor who did not accept outcomes that thwarted his wishes confronted them with manifestly unacceptable treatment of one of their officers," he said.

Speaking after the decision Mrs Harrison said she believed it was a landmark case. She said: "It's brilliant. This is a very powerful decision and quite an interesting one. As far as I'm aware it's the first case where a councillor has had action taken against him personally for victimisation towards a council employee."

Coun Driver said he had already lodged an appeal against the decision.

He said: "I totally and categorically deny that I have ever victimised Mrs Harrison in any way.

"I have appealed and I am more than confident that this outrageous decision will be overturned."

The decision had serious implications for councils and councillors all over the country, he said.

A council spokesman said: "The tribunal acknowledged that the council did its honest best to manage a difficult situation.

"The Council is therefore disappointed that blame has been apportioned to it.

"We will be examining the judgment in detail with the council's external legal advisors."

Mrs Harrison said she would continue to work at the council, adding: "The few true friends I have had and my family have been brilliant.

"Without that support I don't think I would have had the strength to carry this through."