Army nurse sues over 'bimbo' slur

An Army captain, described as "a tough cookie", claims her career was dramatically cut short after a female superior dismissed her as "a blonde, dumb bimbo".

Incensed, Janet Kelly, 35, who served in Bosnia and Kosovo as an officer in the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps, and who was at one time responsible for 1,000 servicemen, will this week take the Army and her former superior officer to an employment tribunal, claiming sexual discrimination.

She says she was the victim of a sustained and deliberate campaign to oust her by an allegedly jealous superior who made offensive remarks during an interview to decide whether her commission should be extended.

Despite rising quickly through the ranks, her application was rejected, ending her Army career. She went on to obtain a masters degree and to study law and is now serving as a captain in the Territorial Army.

Today Miss Kelly refused to comment from her home in Middlesbrough, but her mother, who asked not to be named, said: "Janet is under strict instructions not to comment until after the hearing. She is angry about what has happened."

Her lawyer, David Parker, told the Evening Standard: "Captain Kelly took great exception to being called a blonde, dumb bimbo. Comments like that would not have been made about a male colleague.

"She may be blonde but she is certainly no bimbo. She is a career soldier and something like this would not normally upset someone of her temperament.

"Her colleagues know her to be a tough cookie. She served in Bosnia and Kosovo and was responsible for the health of 1,000 field servicemen.

"She has witnessed some horrific scenes over the years. But this is illicit sex discrimination. The Army is still stuck in the macho management style of the 1900s."

Mr Parker's firm, Eurolaw Line, which normally only represents employers, says it is so " outraged? by the Army's treatment of her that it is even funding the case.

Miss Kelly had been in the Territorial Army in 1990 but then transferred to the regular Army and the following year was promoted from lieutenant to captain before going on to serve in Bosnia and Kosovo.

When officers at Catterick barracks, North Yorkshire, refused to renew her commission in 1999 she rejoined the TA, where she has since been promoted to senior captain. "She is one of the most qualified nurses in the British Army. For that remark to be made by anyone in the Army is unacceptable, but for it to be made to a senior officer is staggering," said Mr Parker.

An MoD spokesman said: "We cannot comment whatsoever until after the tribunal as this is a legal matter."