Female police worker 'set to get £10K deal' in sex harassment case against senior officer

 

A female police civilian worker at the centre of sex harassment claims against a senior officer is set to receive  a £10,000 settlement.
Susan Leffers is among 24 civilian workers and police officers who have lodged complaints against former Wiltshire Deputy Chief Constable David Ainsworth.
Her case, due to go before a Bristol employment tribunal, is believed to include damaging details of Mr Ainsworth’s behaviour towards female staff, including lewd comments he  is alleged to have made, at the force’s Devizes headquarters.
But Wiltshire Police Authority is close to striking an out-of-court settlement with Mrs Leffers that may prevent the allegations being made public.
The package – agreed at a secret meeting of the authority – is expected to include around £10,000 for sexual harassment and ‘damage to feelings’.
However, a police insider denied that Mrs Leffers’ settlement will be used as a model to end the other claims.
‘We know of only one other case seeking a tribunal hearing,’ he said. ‘Negotiations with Mrs Leffers are not yet complete.’

The decision to seek an out-of-court settlement followed an inquiry by South Wales Deputy Chief Constable Colette Paul. She concluded that Mrs Leffers’ allegations would have required Mr Ainsworth’s suspension.
Shortly after, Mr Ainsworth was found hanged in a cottage near Devizes. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances.
Wiltshire Police would not reveal the conclusions of DCC Paul’s report but insisted it made no reference to grounds for suspension against  Mr Ainsworth. Neither did it cite out-of-court settlements.
Mrs Leffers declined to comment.

 

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