Sex ‘Traded For Promotion’ Within Council

Council bosses traded sexual favours for courses and promotion, a tribunal heard yesterday. Tom McNeil, 52, claims that he was forced to quit his senior post with Aberdeen City Council after he saw two managers having sex in the office.

He said the married worker, who cannot be named, was promoted and given a pay rise because she was sleeping with her boss, Brian Woodcock.

Mr McNeil was suspended after he reported the office affair. The council claimed he breached its confidence after discussing matters relating to an ongoing investigation into the affair with other employees.

But Mr McNeil had earlier told an employment tribunal hearing in Aberdeen that the affair was public knowledge.

The tribunal yesterday heard there was a “culture of trading sexual favours” for promotion in the council’s sports and leisure department. And it was claimed Mr McNeil was involved in the sex-for-favours scandal.

Mary Kearns, the council’s representative, said: “You [Mr McNeil] are a sexual harasser. One employee said she was told, ‘if you want to get on in this job, you have to sleep with people’. There was a culture of trading sexual favours for advancement.”

Ms Kearns told the tribunal that a female staff member had told council bosses that Mr McNeil had been in a relationship with a woman named Arlene Thompson. She also claimed he had slept with a young member of staff on a trip to London.

However, Mr McNeil denied the allegation and a suggestion he had become involved in relationships with two of his staff.

Ms Kearns said Mr McNeil’s management style was one of “bullying and harassment”, adding: “You made comments about female staff, calling them ‘big boobs’ and ‘six pinters’.”

The tribunal also heard Mr Woodcock was investigated by managers over allegations involving a ski centre boss.

During the investigation, Mr McNeil had told them he had met with Nicola Tannahill, who had been dressed “inappropriately”, then took her to lunch.

Mr Woodcock was subsequently suspended from his post as north neighbourhood director over an investigation involving Miss Tannahill. It was claimed e-mails allegedly sent to her by Mr Woodcock included the phrases “sexy bottom” and “fancy the pants off you”.

Mr McNeil is suing Aberdeen City Council for constructive unfair dismissal. He claims he was forced to quit as he was suspended for a lengthy period of time. The hearing continues.