UK News

British soldier wins compensation over child care row

Apr 16, 2010, 16:26 GMT

London - A British soldier who as a single mother failed to appear at a parade because she had to look after her baby daughter won compensation of around 17,000 pounds (26,200 dollars) in a discrimination case Friday.

Tilern DeBique, a former corporal, was disciplined in June, 2007 for missing the parade and left the armed forces a year later.

The 28-year-old, who is originally from the Caribbean island of St Vincent but now lives in London, said she had been discriminated against on the basis of sex and race.

Her case was seen as setting a precedent for similar complaints. Reports said DeBique originally demanded compensation of 1 million pounds.

The tribunal agreed with her complaint, ruling that DeBique had not been treated 'on a level playing field.'

The Ministry of Defence which had argued that personnel were obliged to make their own child care arrangements, said 'We have noted the award made by the employment tribunal and we wish Tilern Debique the best for the future.'