Female banker brings £10m action against HBOS for sex discrimination

A high-flying woman banker is suing HBOS for £10m in the latest "sexism in the City" case. Claire Bright, who runs asset and liability management for the country's biggest mortgage lender, has lodged a claim at Stratford employment tribunal in east London alleging sex discrimination and victimisation.

It is the latest in a string of such cases brought by female bankers against their employers.

Ms Bright claims HBOS suspended her wrongfully in October after a clash with Cliff Pattenden, a senior manager. She alleges he "disrespected, demeaned, overruled, micromanaged and humiliated her" because she was a woman.

HBOS launched an internal inquiry into the claims. A spokesman for the bank said: "The grievance process at HBOS, which is rigorous and comprehensive, has been completed and Ms Bright's allegation has not been upheld. We will vigorously defend our position at any tribunal hearing."

Ms Bright had been due to accept a "borrower of the year" prize at an awards ceremony last night, but was told to stay away. A more junior HBOS banker was sent in her place.

She earlier tried to return to her desk at HBOS headquarters in the City, and met senior managers from the bank's treasury department, which manages cash flow, but was unable to resolve the matter. Her security pass was taken and she was escorted from the building.

The HBOS spokesman said: "Throughout her visit, she was treated with the courtesy all colleagues receive at HBOS treasury."

Ms Bright, who joined the bank in October 2004, is paid about £600,000 a year in cash and bonuses to run 60 staff managing £140bn in assets. She filed her first claim at the start of last month. A date for the hearing has yet to be set.

Lawyers for Ms Bright filed a second claim - for wrongful dismissal - yesterday. HBOS insists she remains an employee.

Last week, six women at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein sued the German investment bank for almost £800m. They alleged DKW treated men better, while male colleagues hurled abuse at them, entertained clients at strip clubs and brought prostitutes back to the office. One of the claimants, Katherine Smith, who is based in London, alleged her boss referred to her as "the Pamela Anderson of trading" and subjected her to humiliating sexual banter. DKW denies all allegations.

The latest legal claim came as new figures highlighted the yawning disparity between the sexes in the City, despite a series of high-profile campaigns to recruit more women. A survey of 30 financial institutions by the recruitment firm Alexander Mann Financial Markets found just 4 per cent of equity traders are women.

They fared worst in traditional markets such as foreign exchange and commodities, but are better represented in newer markets. The study also found 13 per cent of equity analysts were women, while they made up almost 30 per cent of all credit market analysts.