A PHARMACIST who won damages of £400,000 when a colleague falsely accused him of rape is suing his bosses for sexual discrimination.

Martin Garfoot, 48, said his reputation was left in tatters after the claims made by Lynn Walker, a fellow pharmacist at a branch of Boots chemists in North Shields, North Tyneside.

A once-respected figure, he became the subject of suspicion and gossip when divorcee Walker told his bosses he committed a rape while they were alone in the staff room.

A jury awarded the sum in damages, which left the accuser bankrupt.

More than a year later, Mr Garfoot, a married man with two grown-up daughters, is taking on Boots in an employment tribunal, claiming he was unfairly discriminated against because he is a man.

His solicitor, Anthony Bryson, said: "We have a claim before the Employment Tribunal. The litigation is substantial and ongoing."

Mr Garfoot is on sick leave from the pharmacy he now works at in Crook, County Durham.

He and his wife, Janice, were unavailable for comment yesterday at their home in Whickham, Gateshead.

Walker, who now uses her maiden name of McDonald, has left Boots and is working in Consett, County Durham, for the Moss Pharmacy Medical Centre.

Her new employer said: "Lynn McDonald made us fully aware of the details of the case prior to her appointment.

"It was a civil action and has no bearing on her ability to fulfil her professional role with Moss Pharmacy."

Boots declined to comment on the action by Mr Garfoot.