Female spy 'blacklisted after boss harassed her'

tribunal

A former spy has told an employment tribunal she was blacklisted by the security agency she worked for after suffering alleged sexual advances by her boss.

The woman, named only as Miss D, described how her security clearance was downgraded after she had sought treatment for depression as a result of the alleged harassment. "I was blacklisted because I had been on a psych ward meaning I could never do restricted posts, sensitive posts again," she said.

She has brought a claim for sexual harassment and unfair dismissal against the agency, which cannot currently be named for security reasons. Miss D said her married intelligence boss, Mr F, sent flirty text messages and stroked her leg in a nine-month campaign to begin an affair with her. She said she initially put this behaviour down to "being friendly", but later changed her mind when he became more direct.

Adam Tolley, cross-examining, suggested Miss D had "manufactured" the claims as a way to move attention from her poor work performance, and also that she encouraged her boss. The witness said: "I have always had outstanding performance. Why would I do that?"

Mr F's boss, JM, told the tribunal he never saw or heard "anything inappropriate or anything that could constitute sexual harassment or bullying". The case was adjourned to 19 March.