Sacked train driver 'rude and aggressive'

A woman train driver whose sacking caused three 24-hour strikes was "rude, obstructive and unpleasant", and "aggressive and confrontational" if she could not get her own way, her manager told an industrial tribunal yesterday.

Sarah Friday, 35, who is claiming victimisation, also made a complaint of sexism against the manager, James Hall, of South West Trains, for saying "Do what you want, girl", after a disagreement.

"I meant no offence," Mr Hall told the tribunal at Croydon, south London. "It's a common expression in south London where I am from."

He denied firing Ms Friday from her £ 25,000-a-year job for going to the lavatory. He said the real reason was that she refused to take out the 11.53am Waterloo-Portsmouth Harbour train on 9 February.

Ms Friday, of Gravesend, Kent, is claiming unfair dismissal, saying she was victimised for her activities as a health and safety representative in the RMT union.

South West Trains denies this and says she was in breach of her contract for refusing to drive a train. The union is supporting Ms Friday, who has been a train driver for 12 years.

The hearing continues.