Attack on ministers' advisers

Robert Verkaik Legal Affairs Correspondent

Thursday 20 May 1999 23:02 BST

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THE WAY ministers appoint special advisers came under attack from an employment tribunal yesterday when it accused the Lord Chancellor of indirect sex discrimination.

The written judgement given by Croydon employment tribunal confirmed that Lord Irvine of Lairg's appointment of Garry Hart as his special adviser was in breach of sex and race discrimination laws. Finding in favour of solicitor Jane Coker, who had hoped to be appointed, the tribunal saidLord Irvine had also breached European law.

Ms Coker said: "The Lord Chancellor must resign in light of today's decision ... the pounds 2.6m a year the Government spends on employing its mates must be repaid to the taxpayer."

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