Victimisation and discrimination are "endemic" in the Army, an employment tribunal was told today.

The claim was made at the start of a case being brought by a former York radio technician and single mother who claims that she was the victim of sex discrimination by her military superiors.

The claims by Lance Corporal Nina Middlemass, 27, of Ryton, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, who is currently serving with the Royal Corps of Signals, go back to the birth of her daughter, Kra, in May 1995.

Mr Paul Cape, for L Cpl Middlemass, told the tribunal, in Newcastle upon Tyne: "It is part and parcel of the complaint that victimisation and discrimination are endemic in the Army."

The hearing was adjourned this morning for a short while to allow both sides to timetable the hearing, which is expected to be complex and last for 20 days.

The Ministry of Defence is flying in serving officers from several parts of the world - including the Balkans - to give evidence at the tribunal.

Two senior-ranking officers, a colonel and a major are named respondents, along with the MoD, and up to 14 army witnesses are expected to give evidence.Ms Middlemass was stationed at York with 2 Signal Regiment between the summer of 1995 and the autumn of 1997, but the evidence is expected to cover her entire Army career.

She is currently based in Dorset.

Ms Middlemass's case was beginning today, but she was not reading her statement, which runs to 36,000 words.

The tribunal will be asked to consider Army policy on the employment of pregnant servicewomen and the treatment of new mothers in the forces.

Her case is being sponsored by the Equal Opportunities Commission.

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