THE vice-president of a pharmaceutical company flew into the North-East yesterday to attend an industrial tribunal.

John Box, of GlaxoSmith-Kline, arrived from Puerto Rico to give evidence in Newcastle.

A worker, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is taking legal action after he was given a written warning following allegations made by a female worker.

The man claims that he was the victim of sexual harassment, but that his claims were not taken seriously because he was a man.

He also claims breach of contract and unfair dis-missal.

Mr Box said that the company had not pursued the woman's allegations of sexual harassment, because there was no corroborative evidence.

But he added that the man at the firm's Barnard Castle plant, was given a final warning for inappropriate behaviour instead.

John Falkenstein, for the worker, said that the firm had failed to protect his client against the stigma of false rumours.

As a consequence, he had suffered victimisation and had a mental breakdown, he said.

Mr Falkenstein said the woman had been treated favourably because of her gender.

Guy Bredenkamp, for GlaxoSmithKline, said that the man had not himself been shy of telling others of the sexual nature of the claims.

He said the company had acted in good faith and did not regard the woman's claims to be malicious.

A judgement has been reserved until a later date.