Equality-claim lawyer awarded £70,000
Summary of story from Belfast Telegraph, 8.2.11.
A female barrister employed by police in the public inquiry into the murder of Northern Irish solicitor Rosemary Nelson has been awarded a £70,000 settlement after alleging sex discrimination.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) made the settlement without admission of liability after Dolores Creen lodged a complaint with the assistance of the Equality Commission.
In 2007 the barrister was asked to act on behalf of the PSNI in the high-profile inquiry into Ms Nelson’s death, but she later claimed she was paid less than a male colleague, was occasionally assigned to routine tasks that did not reflect her experience, before her instructions to act for the police were withdrawn while male colleagues were retained.
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland said PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott acknowledged the upset and distress Ms Creen experienced and he reaffirmed his commitment to equality of opportunity in the workplace.
Ms Creen said: “When I was offered this brief I was told that it would require a full-time commitment and I made it my absolute priority.
“In fact, I was extremely disappointed by the treatment afforded me during my work as part of the PSNI legal team on the inquiry.”
She said she challenged her subsequent treatment because she believed it to be unfair.
The lawyer added: “I am pleased that the case has been resolved and I hope that other women, in any profession, who believe they are under-valued, will be encouraged to challenge such treatment.”