A SENIOR executive has attacked Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, accusing it of discriminating against women.

Susanne Newman quit her post as customer services manager and used her leaving speech to criticise the council for not promoting women to top management posts.

Senior officers and councillors were visibly embarrassed as Mrs Newman launched a scathing attack on the authority's record. She said women were fed up with being passed over for top jobs.

She made the allegations during a presentation at the council offices to thank her for 22 years of service, attended by outgoing mayor Joy Stanley and council chief executive Tom Grainger.

Mrs Newman, 41, of Pugmill Lane in Chickerell, who will soon be starting a private sector managerial job in the Weymouth area paying almost double her previous salary, told the Dorset Echo that she thought her view was borne out by the fact that only one senior manager out of 19 in the council was a woman.

She said: "All the policy is in place and on the surface the council is an excellent employer but for some bizarre reason women officers do not seem to progress."

The mother of two said that in her experience although women made it on to job shortlists, they were usually told that they were not right for the job on that occasion.

She added: "We have often joked about wearing burkas. We are not listened to or respected.

"You may as well be in Afghanistan.

"I have become very disillusioned with the whole set up, which is why I have left for a more important position where I have been given the chance to create excellent work."

Council chief executive Tom Grainger denied there was any discrimination.

He said: "All of our jobs are advertised and we have an open recruitment process for all personnel.

"The person appointed must meet a person specification which sets out the skills and experience required for an appointment."

"Appointments are not made depending on which club you are in, which gender you are or what colour your eyes are."

Commenting on why there was only one female manager, he said that there was a low turnover of staff, which explained why the proportion of women senior managers had remained unchanged.

Outgoing Mayor Joy Stanley said: "We were all very sad to see her leave. She was a very valuable worker and a very professional lady."