A FORMER mayoral candidate and close associate of Peter Mandelson yesterday denied accusations that he pushed a member of his own staff down the stairs.

Leo Gillen, a prominent Hartlepool businessman and defeated Labour mayoral candidate, told an industrial tribunal the claims were "simply not true".

The tribunal, at Thornaby, near Stockton, heard former bar manager Stephen Parkes, who is claiming unfair dismissal, had been held by the throat and pushed downstairs by Mr Gillen.

Mr Parkes, 24, represented by his 79-year-old grandfather Robert Parkes, worked as manager of Gillens Sports Bar, in Hartlepool. He said he had been prepared to work late to keep the bar open on May 1 for a special function for Labour Party members, including Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson, after the council elections.

However, when the Labour gathering went to another bar owned by Mr Gillen downstairs, Mr Parkes closed the upstairs bar at 11pm.

The trouble began because other members of Mr Gillen's staff were holding a staff party and wanted the bar kept open. That led Mr Gillen to confront Mr Parkes, the tribunal heard.

Mr Parkes, who had been employed three times by the family, claimed that Mr Gillen had "assassinated his character" and accused him of being useless.

He said: "I was attempting to release myself from the hold Mr Gillen senior had on my neck. Mr Gillen and his son forcibly propelled me through the exit doors and I was thrown down a flight of six steps."

Both Mr Gillen senior and his son, also called Leo, 24, denied using force. Mr Gillen junior said that Mr Parkes had raised his hand to his father.

Mr Gillen senior said Mr Parkes had already announced he was going to leave. He said: "It is simply not true I assassinated his character and it is not true I said he was useless. It is untrue I propelled him down the steps."

Witness Karen Ward, no longer employed by the Gillens, said Mr Parkes' attitude had been "arrogant" and was also under the impression Mr Parkes had quit that night.

A decision is expected in the coming weeks.