A COUNCIL where a "laddish culture" led to a highly qualified woman being passed over for promotion has been found guilty of sex discrimination.

Durham County Council said it would learn lessons from the case and warned that employees could be disciplined following the ruling by an employment tribunal.

The problem came to light in November 2001 when Barbara Miller, 50, of Witton-le-Wear, County Durham, was passed over for promotion in the social services department in favour of an unqualified man.

She took the authority to a tribunal, held over five days in March and June, which found wholesale breaches of procedure that amounted to contempt for equal opportunities.

The tribunal concluded the job interview and selection had been manipulated by a senior manager, who had deliberately misled personnel so his preferred candidate could apply.

The tribunal said: "He then showed so blatant a disregard for both the letter and the spirit of the detailed recruitment and selection procedure as amounted to contempt."

Ms Miller said yesterday: "I am pleased the discrimination has been exposed and I hope it will encourage others to challenge injustice."

GMB union organiser Terry Scarr said: "This is a damning indictment of equal opportunities in Durham County Council. The GMB is seeking an urgent meeting with the council to address a number of issues mentioned in the decision. We need proper procedures that people adhere to."

Council chief executive Kingsley Smith said: "Given the importance we attach to equality in all its forms and all its applications, the sort of behaviour which gave rise to this complaint is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

"We are disappointed that, on this occasion, the employment policies we had in place were not properly followed. The question of disciplinary action has to be considered."

A further tribunal hearing will decide the level of damages to be awarded.