Claim dealer makes one of his own

An advocate who dealt with complaints and claims - many involving the NHS - has made a claim of his own.

Steven Williams of Warstones Road, Penn, Wolverhampton, accused advocacy firm Pohwer of race discrimination.

Mr Williams, of African-Caribbean origin, told Birmingham Employment Tribunal he successfully applied for a job as an advocate at the Stafford branch.

He was eventually asked if he would move to the Worcester branch, where the firm urgently needed an advocate, because there was not much work at Stafford.

He agreed and claimed he later found a white person doing the job at Stafford created by his departure.

Mr Williams said: "I believe I was moved to Worcester because of racial discrimination. They did not want an Afro-Caribbean working with them."

On cross-examination by Mr Mark Ramsbottom, representing Pohwer, Mr Williams said a claim he previously worked at Worcester and was familiar with the area was out of context.

The firm denied race discrimination and opposed Mr Williams' claim. Mr Williams denied an allegation by Mr Ramsbottom that he was un-cooperative with colleagues, and was rude and abrupt with employees.

A tribunal decision is expected at a later date.