Amex executive loses case for sexism

An executive who sued American Express for £2.6million claiming she was bullied repeatedly by her sexist boss today described her "devastation" after losing her case.

Vanessa Brennan, 33, claimed she was forced to leave the company after the behaviour of her boss put her under such stress that she almost miscarried her baby.

Mrs Brennan, who earned more than £50,000 a year before resigning in June 2000, was claiming compensation for injury to feelings, loss of potential earnings and stock options. In a written judgment, Mrs Brennan was informed last night her claims of sexual discrimination and constructive dismissal against Amex had been rejected by Croydon Industrial Tribunal.

Facing £30,000 legal costs, Mrs Brennan vowed to appeal. She said: "I am devastated. This just doesn't make sense to me and it certainly wasn't at all the verdict that I expected." During the tribunal last October, Mrs Brennan outlined a string of complaints against her former boss Michael Rutter.

She said when she was pregnant, he allegedly gave her a book which he joked was called "101 Things To Do With A Dead Baby".

An inquiry by Amex found Mr Rutter had committed eight acts of sex discrimination and he resigned. Mrs Brennan reached an out-of-court settlement with Mr Rutter. The company persistently denied the claims.