A FORMER crisp factory worker with a chronic stutter heard his former bosses deny yesterday that he had been victimised because of his condition.

Kevin Alderson, 40, claims he was badgered into taking part in role-playing sessions in front of colleagues, despite his acute embarrassment.

But at an industrial tribunal in Newcastle yesterday, Mr Alderson's former bosses at the Walkers crisp factory in Peterlee, County Durham, denied the former employee had been victimised.

Speaking at the tribunal, manager Louise Patterson, who is responsible for personnel, and former operations manager Gary Horsefield, said the company's own investigation did not support any claim that Mr Alderson had been ritually humiliated.

But they conceded that not all witnesses mentioned by Mr Alderson had been interviewed.

Mr Alderson, a packaging technician, of Oswald Terrace, Easington Colliery, claims he was harangued into taking part in role-playing sessions by his immediate boss, Mary King.

He says he told her of his acute embarrassment. Mrs King has strongly denied the charge.

Mr Alderson resigned from his job in May after 23 years at the plant. He has received psychiatric treatment and has suffered depression.

He is claiming constructive dismissal and that he was the victim of disability discrimination.

The hearing was reopened yesterday after being adjourned since July.