A FIRM of Whitefield solicitors has paid out £50,000 in an out-of-court settlement to a former employee who was sexually harassed.

At an industrial tribunal Laurence Murphy and Co, of Moss Lane, also agreed to give 26-year-old Andrea Harrison, of Salford, a reference so that she can complete her solicitor's training with another firm.

Before the settlement, Miss Harrison told the tribunal that she had been subjected to "relentless sexual harassment" by a legal executive at the firm, and that the senior partner, Mr Laurence Murphy, had known what was happening but failed to act even when asked.

Miss Harrison, who joined the firm as a general clerk two years ago with a promise of a solicitor traineeship, said that in January of last year the promised traineeship did not happen. She was subjected to the sexual harassment and became unwell as result, suffering from vomiting and nightmares.

She went on sick leave last September and resigned from the firm in October.

Shortly afterwards she made the complaint to the Law Society.

This week Miss Harrison said she was relieved that the case was over after a year of worry.

"I'm glad I did it because I would never have forgiven myself if I hadn't tried to stop it happening to someone else at the firm," she said.

"I wish it had never happened and that I was celebrating qualifying as a solicitor rather than this."

She now wishes to put it all behind her and concentrate on training for her career as a solicitor.

Laurence Murphy and Co had no comment to make.

A spokesman for the Equal Opportunities Commission, which backed Miss Harrison, welcomed the settlement and said: "This is a major settlement for a persistent and serious case of sexual abuse which must not be tolerated anywhere, much less from a company dedicated to the rule of law."

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