AN ARMY musician was hounded out of his job by officers who disapproved of him having an extra marital affair, an employment tribunal heard today.

Corporal Robert Letch, 30, said his new lover was subjected to 'disgusting verbal abuse' when she attended his band's functions.

The flute player said he was regularly humiliated in front of fellow musicians because of his relationship with 33 year old law student Donna Cannon.

The hearing was told Cpl Letch was regularly criticised by Sergeant Major Keith Dawson, who was in charge of the Band of the Hussars and Light Dragoons.

And Cpl Letch told the hearing that a superior officer described his playing as flat and dubbed him 'Bobby no notes'.

He added that Sgt Major Dawson rubbed himself up against Mrs Cannon at band functions and asked her if she was wearing knickers.

The Cpl also claimed he was given extra duties by officers at his camp in Bovington, Dorset, in a bid to keep him away from his girlfriend.

He said the situation became so bad he was forced to resign after 13 years with the Army.

Yesterday the father of two appeared at the tribunal in Southampton, Hants, represented by Mrs Cannon.

She told the hearing: "Cpl Letch was treated less favourably because of officers' distate for him having an extra-marital affair".

Cpl Letch had begun his relationship with Mrs Cannon after separating from his wife Lisa last year.

He told the tribunal that after hearing of the affair Sgt Major Dawson told him he was 'making a fool of himself' and started giving him extra duties.

Cpl Letch added: "Dawson said this was done because it was his duty to clip my wings and keep me on camp to prevent my relationship with Donna."

And he told the tribunal of an incident during a band function last year when he claimed the Sgt Major was abusive towards Mrs Cannon.

He said: "Dawson approached Donna and kept touching her arms and her back. She was wearing a backless dress.

"He commented on the length of her fingernails and said he would like to feel them down his back as he had sex with her.

"Dawson also asked if she was wearing any knickers. Donna was very upset and we left early."

After the incident Cpl Letch said he decided to leave the Army and handed in his a letter of resignation to his superior officer Captain Robert Pennington.

He claimed that the next time he saw Captain Pennington the officer humiliated him.

He said: "We played a Christmas concert at Bovington Garrison Church. After the performance Pennington humiliated me in front of the rest of the band.

"He started shouting and swearing at me and told me I was unprofessional and played out of tune. This was untrue.

"After this I had to put up with lots of snide comments.

"Dawson would say 'Here comes bad boy Letch' and Pennington referred to me as 'Bobby no notes' whenever we were rehearsing."

He said his duties were extended indefinitely because of his affair.

Cpl Letch said when he confronted Sgt Major Dawson he was told: "Everything I have done is in my power and is for your own good."

Cpl Letch told the tribunal he decided to make an official complaint of victimisation against Sgt Major Dawson.

He added: "I feel bitterly disappointed at the way the Army has discriminated against me and interfered in my private life.

"I wasn't prepared to tolerate the abuse, discrimination and undeserved punishment that was being dealt just because my marriage had failed."

Cpl Letch is claiming sexual discrimination against a married person and victimisation.

He is making the claim against the Ministry of Defence and his commanding officer Lieutenant Col Andrew Ledger of the Royal Armoured Corps.

The tribunal continues.