Lady Archer's 'high standards'

Lady Archer's former personal assistant told an employment tribunal today of her admiration for her ex-boss's "high standards".

Jane Williams said the wife of disgraced peer Jeffrey Archer employed those standards across all aspects of her life.

"She had a particularly interesting and privileged position. I saw her as a rising star and I wanted to support her all along the way. Lady Archer's standards are high with everything that she does, whether it is scientific, commercial or personal."

However, Ms Williams, 49, of Ickleton, Cambridgeshire, claims Lady Archer breached her contract and cut her wages before withholding them entirely. She is also said to have unfairly dismissed Ms Williams.

Lady Archer, 57, of Grantchester, however, claims that Ms Williams was made redundant because she no longer needed a full-time PA and Ms Williams "didn't feel able to accept a parttime job".

Ms Williams, who had been accused of trying to sell stories about Lady Archer, told the resumed employment tribunal in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, that she felt no obligation to keep all matters private. When questioned about the confidentiality contract she was asked to sign by Lady Archer, Ms Williams said she had no idea why her employer chose to introduce it. She had never broken any confidences in the past.

The panel heard that Ms Williams, who was then aged 35, had expected to stay on as PA until she retired at 60.

The hearing continues.