'Royal aide groped me'

A secretary working for Prince Charles today claimed she was groped by a senior royal aide at the photocopier.

Elaine Day says she was then victimised after complaining about being "inappropriately touched" by Paul Kefford, assistant private secretary to Charles.

Miss Day said that a secretary who stood in for her also complained of being touched by Mr Kefford but nothing was done about her allegations.

Miss Day described a "culture" against employees making complaints. She said: "I was aware of a culture which stemmed from HRH The Prince of Wales not liking employees who rocked the boat."

Miss Day said she felt " uncomfortable" as soon as she started working for Mr Kefford.

She told a tribunal: "After just a week or so I became concerned about his behaviour towards me. Mr Kefford would make me feel uncomfortable.

"He would approach me from behind at the photocopier put his hand on my back and rub it. He would also touch my arm and shoulders and that made me feel uneasy. I made every effort to keep a distance between me and Mr Kefford."

Ruth Downing, counsel for Miss Day, said she first complained of " inappropriate touching" in August, 2002 and made an official complaint in October.

Miss Day said she experienced "ongoing discrimination" until she left in April this year. Miss Downing said that her client experienced " constant and unjustified criticism" from Mr Kefford.

Miss Day, from Belvedere in Kent, is claiming sexual discrimination and says she was unfairly dismissed after working in Charles's household for five years.

She alleges that her job was made impossible because of "victimisation" by Mr Kefford. Miss Day says that when she went to Holyrood House for official work she was given a "less favourable" job.

Miss Downing told the Croydon tribunal: "She believed that it was intended as their way of getting back at her."

Miss Day told how when she returned from holiday a part time secretary who stood in for her, Bryony Thomas, complained to her that Mr Kefford had been touching her as well.

"She was clearly distressed that this had been happening," said Miss Day. She mentioned it

to her superior but she was

"completely unsympathetic" although she offered to give her a phone number of a colleague who could tell of Mr Kefford's "history of inappropriate touching in the civil service".

She said that because her superior and Mr Kefford got on so well she hoped she would be able to speak to him about his behaviour.

Miss Day said: "I was conscious that our working relationship had started to deteriorate as I avoided being alone with Mr Kefford or allowing him to come close to me."

She said of

his behaviour: "He was exacting and unreasonable and always finding fault with what I was doing. Nothing was ever right."

She told the tribunal how she became a trusted employee, corresponding directly with Prince Charles in relation to his diary. She started work in March 1999, as personal assistant to Mark Bolland, deputy private secretary to Prince Charles. "We worked so well together," she said.

"Mr Bolland thought I was a very good secretary and gave me numerous presents and gifts because of the work I did

for him." She would "recce" upcoming events for Charles and did so well that the briefs she provided were used as a model for other employees.

"I also compiled briefings for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and Mr Bolland would simply check the contents and send a covering letter," she said. Miss Day became Mr Kefford's personal assistant when Mr Bolland announced he was leaving in July 2002.

Clarence House have said they intend to "vigorously" contest her claims. The hearing continues.