SENIOR council officials are creating a "climate of fear" amongst staff, an industrial tribunal was told yesterday.

Jane Knox, who is claiming unfair dismissal against Stockton Borough Council, wept as she gave evidence.

The 52-year-old, the authority's former head of communications, said she felt intimidated by chief executive George Garlick and assistant chief executive Anthony Gardner.

"There is a climate of fear at the council and it emanates from the top," she told the Newcastle tribunal.

Ms Knox, of Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, said she felt bullied by Mr Gardner's constant criticism, lack of support and his interference in her role of co-ordinating the council's public relations department.

She said he made her feel "deflected, demotivated and demoralised".

"The behaviour I experienced from him was usually on a one-to-one basis," she said.

"He was totally different when other people were around. He has a Jekyll and Hyde character."

Ms Knox said she went on sick leave shortly after she was diagnosed with anxiety, days after a meeting with Mr Gardner and Mr Garlick on May 9, 2003.

"I thought that when I went into the meeting, I was going to be suspended," she said.

The tribunal was told that Mr Gardner reduced a public relations officer to tears by reprimanding her the day after Ms Knox had gone on holiday.

She said Mr Gardner told Nikki Riddle, a member of her team, that he had no confidence in her ability.

"I saw that she was in a dreadful state. She was distraught. She was so white she looked as though she may pass out.

"She burst into tears and was unable to tell me what had happened until after she was outside."

Ms Riddle was off work sick for six months after the incident, the tribunal heard.

Ms Knox said: "I believe he did that in the knowledge that Nikki would have no support in my absence."

She also claimed that public relations officer Vince Rutland withheld information about sponsors for the Stockton International Riverside Festival from her in June 2002.

She said that this was an attempt to sabotage her work on the council publication, Stockton News.

Ms Knox was employed by the council in May 2000 on a £38,000 salary. The council later terminated her contract.

Stockton Borough Council insists there is no basis for her claims.

The tribunal continues.