Man loses sex claim caseBy Wanstead and Woodford GuardianAN ABBEY National bank worker has criticised the legal system after losing an employment tribunal in which he was forced to represent himself. Anthony King, 20, now a full-time student, lost the hearing he brought against three women colleagues at Abbey National in Wanstead claiming sexual discrimination and victimisation. Mr King was forced to represent himself as he is a full-time student and could not afford a barrister, whereas his former colleagues were represented by a solicitor on behalf of Abbey National. The unanimous decision of the hearing was that no sexual discrimination took place as the tribunal concluded that Mr King's "allegations made are so stark" as to be unreliable and were not backed by witnesses. An Abbey National spokeswoman said: "Abbey National is delighted with the tribunal's decision. Mr King, who was a temporary member of staff on a 12-week contract, has failed in all his claims. "This tribunal has caused a lot of distress to a number of Abbey National staff, who have been wrongfully accused of some very serious misconduct. We are very relieved they have been completely vindicated." However, Mr King feels the outcome might have swung in his favour if he had been able to afford a barrister to represent him at the hearing. He said: "These companies with so much money can afford the best barristers unlike the little man like me. This case has really opened my eyes to the unfairness of this country's legal system. I am seriously considering appealing. "Unfortunately, because I didn't have any witnesses, it was their word against mine. However, the people in the street have been very positive about my story and my university friends know I am telling the truth." A report of the hearing said: "We have come to the conclusion that Mr King has lied by either making up incidents or taking an incident that did occur and exaggerating it to such an extent that it no longer bore any true resemblance to what actually happened. "With regard to the allegation of victimisation we conclude that the fixed contract had terminated and was not extended because there were no job vacancies. "Mr King was therefore treated the same as anybody else would have been in his position who had not complained of sex discrimination." The tribunal centred around allegations made against Abbey National workers Maxine Suschley, Lisa Joyce and Stacey Lilley, supported by oral evidence from four co-workers. Mr King, a customer advisor at the branch, alleged he was forced to listen to offensive language from the three women and was also subjected to the sight of Mrs Suschley and Mrs Lilley engaging in lewd behaviour. However, the women testified that Mr King, far from being easily shocked, danced during office hours like Michael Jackson and asked if the women were married on his first day of work. 13:35 Friday 17th May 2002
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