MP jailed in speeding case ‘discriminated against disabled worker’

THE former Labour MP jailed for lying to police over a speeding offence was accused yesterday of discriminating against a disabled employee.

Fiona Onasanya allegedly told Jane Goodenough, who suffers from several medical conditions, to use the male lavatory because she could not climb the stairs to reach the disabled or female facilities. Miss Goodenough, who was employed as a part-time case worker from September to November 2017, told a tribunal in Cambridge that problems with access to disabled lifts, parking and lavatories at the office in the MP’S Peterborough constituency left her unable to work there.

She said she had “no option but to resign” and that she had a “personality clash” with Miss Onasanya. The MP was jailed for three months in January and now sits in Parliament as an independent after being expelled by Labour.

Miss Goodenough claimed there was a build-up of “passive aggressive behaviour” by the MP following a discussion they had. The former employee said Miss Onasanya mispronounced the word “eligible” and so she tried to correct her.

She told the hearing: “She said it about seven times while on the phone and in front of a constituent. I had a notepad next to me and wrote ‘eligible not illegible’ and underlined it.”

It resulted in what she claimed was a “mildly heated discussion” with Miss Onasanya, who “felt undermined” and had “taken offence”.

Miss Goodenough said the MP “immediately insisted” she started working full time, which she was unable to do because of her medical conditions.

She also claims she was made to use the male lavatories on her floor as the nearest disabled and female lavatories were on other floors, and that the lifts for the disabled were broken. She also complained of inadequate parking arrangements. Miss Onasanya, who gives evidence today, is facing a recall petition that could result in a by-election.

The tribunal, which is due to last three days, continues.