'Job bias' left disabled Labour Party worker with 'psychological disorder'

Anji Hunter, Tony Blair's former personal assistant, was accused yesterday of claiming that a disability meant a woman was "unsuitable" for a job with the Labour leader.

Helen Garrod, 31, told an employment tribunal that she suffered severe psychological problems after her application to work on Mr Blair's 1997 general election campaign team was rejected. Ms Garrod, who was born with dystrophic dwarfism and uses a wheelchair, said the alleged discrimination left her with a "psychological disorder".

Ms Garrod, from Helston, Cornwall, said that in January 1997 she was deputy editor of Progress, a magazine for Labour modernisers set up by Derek Draper, a former aide to Peter Mandelson. Mr Draper recommended both Ms Garrod and the editor, Kate Dixon, to Mr Blair's then personal assistant, Ms Hunter, for jobs on the campaign squad. But Ms Garrod alleged that while her colleague was given a post on Mr Blair's press bus she was given nothing. She has not worked since 1998.

Discrimination claims must usually be lodged within three months, but Ms Garrod is applying for an exemption, claiming she had been too upset to take any action.

In a letter to the tribunal, Mr Draper, who is now a trainee therapist and psychology student in California, backed Ms Garrod's claims. "I do remember Anji saying Helen was unsuitable for any work because she was disabled," he wrote. "At the time I don't think I argued with this, after all, I did not know what jobs were available, only Anji knew that, besides Anji is not a person whom one easily contradicts.

"She undoubtedly deserved more of the Labour Party and there can be no doubt that... 'we' let her down."

Asked why she had waited so long to make her claim, Ms Garrod said: "Obviously coming here and seeing that not only did Anji Hunter discriminate against me but also gave me a psychological disorder, it's such a big step – the thought of that was just terrible."

Ms Hunter, in a letter to Tony Blair's political secretary Robert Hill which is also before the panel, said she had never met Ms Garrod and could only vaguely remember Mr Draper's recommendation.

"My decision had absolutely nothing to do with discrimination," the letter said. "It was simply because there was not a suitable job for her." Ms Hunter said the remaining jobs were either for bus assistance or for "menial" office jobs.

Ms Garrod, who is still a Labour member, has pledged to give any damages back to the party, minus her legal fees.

Robin Lewis, representing the leader's office of the Labour Party, said there was no reason to grant an exemption and allow the claim to proceed.

The hearing continues today.