CHARD taxpayers will fork out £25,000 to cover a sexual discrimination claim brought against Chard Town Council by former town clerk Sally Bing, it has just been announced (Friday 5.30pm).

A five-day employment tribunal hearing in Exeter into a claim of sexual discrimination brought by Mrs Bing against Mr Prior has just finished.

Mr Prior has been ordered to pay a total of £33,697 to Mrs Bing, including associated costs.

A separate claim of sexual discrimination brought by Mrs Bing against Chard Town Council was settled on Tuesday before the hearing began.

Details of this settlement could not be revealed until the end of the tribunal but the compensation figure has now been put at £25,000.

The News revealed on Wednesday that any payout from the council to Mrs Bing would be paid by Chard taxpayers.

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