Mayor in sex discrimination claim over breastfeeding ban » Local Government » 24dash.com

A mayor is suing Trafford Council after she was banned from using the civic limousine because she was breastfeeding her son.

Dr Pauleen Lane had to drive behind in her own car if she wanted to take baby Oscar with her on official engagements, Manchester County Court has been told.

On arrival, Ms Lane struggled with Oscar and his baby paraphernalia, while two mayor's attendants travelled in the limo - carrying just the mayor's chain of office.

Ms Lane gave birth to Oscar two months before she became mayor in June 2005 and decided to breastfeed her son for the first 12 months of his life.

Normal arrangements were for the civic car to collect the mayor from their home or work and take them to various functions.

But during Ms Lane's first month as mayor, these arrangements were denied to her, the court heard.

At one official event, church leaders were left "shocked" at the "embarrassing" spectacle of Ms Lane struggling to get herself and her baby out of her small car while the mayor's two official attendants ceremoniously removed the mayor's chain from the civic car.

The court heard some staff did not want to be seen as "baby-sitters" and disapproved of her breastfeeding her son on mayoral duties.

She is claiming sex discrimination against the council as she says she would not have received such treatment if she had been a male mayor and she was alleging her less favourable treatment was on the grounds of her sex.

The case is expected to conclude next week.

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