A DOCTOR denies sexually harassing one of his employees while working as director of an Ebbw Vale hospital.

Dr Chuma Igbokwe appeared before a Cardiff employment tribunal yesterday after hospital administrator Vanessa Turley brought a claim for sexual harassment, victimisation and discrimination and unfair dismissal against Dr Igbokwe and Mild Professional Homes.

Mrs Turley, 40, from Newbridge began working at St Luke’s Hospital in Ebbw Vale in March 2008.

The married mother-of-three claims that on June 10, 2008, medical director Dr Igbokwe called her into his office and asked her if the door locks could be overridden because he wanted to have sex with her over the desk.

After she rebuffed him, Mrs Turley said African diplomat Dr Igbokwe, who was once Niger’s official consul to Britain, became rude and abrupt toward her.

In November 2009, during a civic reception for Dr Igbokwe at the mayor’s parlour in Ebbw Vale, Mrs Turley claimed the hospital director made a “disgusting” comment to her that she “could not believe he had said”.

Then on April 9, 2010, Mrs Turley said she and Dr Igbokwe were in an office when he grabbed her by the hips and began thrusting behind her, before exposing himself and gesturing at her to perform a sex act.

She resigned on May 18, 2010, but claimed an e-mail sent to her husband the following month, which said Mrs Turley was a porn star and a prostitute, from someone called Baba Ayen actually came from the hospital director.

But in his evidence yesterday Dr Igbokwe denied any of these incidents took place, and said it was Mrs Turley who would “flirt outrageously” with him on many occasions.

He said he had regarded his relationship with her as “normal, friendly, but professional” and added: “I had no sexual interest in Vanessa and deny that I ever leered at her.”

Dr Igbokwe said the allegation he indecently exposed himself was “utterly untrue”, highlighting that although these allegations were reported to police, the Crown Prosecution Service took no further action. He also “categorically denied” responsibility for e-mails sent to Mrs Turley’s husband.

During cross examination, Dr Igbokwe admitted he had faced similar allegations from a further three women in his employment.

He is suspended by the General Medical Council pending the outcome of the tribunal.

Proceeding.