COUNCILLORS have been warned of a potential flood of litigation after what could be a landmark tribunal ruling in a Preston case.

A tribunal in Liverpool this week upheld Shirley Harrison's claim of victimisation by Councillor Geoff Driver and Preston Borough Council.

Mrs Harrison, the council's assistant director of legal and administration, said she believed it was the first time legal proceedings had been brought against a councillor for victimisation of a council employee.

Now Mr Driver, who was previously chief executive/town clerk, has warned that councils across the country could face similar cases if council officers and councillors had a disagreement.

"This is a unique decision, therefore it has serious consequences for every councillor in the country and every council," he said.

"If this decision is allowed to stand it would influence every council in the country. It brings into question the way local government works in every way.

"You could get a whole swathe of claims coming from local government.

His concerns were echoed by Conservative party colleague, leader of the party Councillor Ken Hudson.

He said: "This is a landmark case. If officers are going to take councillors to a tribunal the relationship between councillors and officers is going to be fraught."