A Northern Ireland Equality Commission official who was pipped to a promotion has claimed she was discriminated against for her work with the Women's Coalition.
Judith Cross, who has also alleged she suffered sex bias, said her political job would have carried more weight if she had been employed by one of the main Northern Ireland parties.
She told a fair employment tribunal in Belfast yesterday: "Had I been a constituency aide for John Hume or Ian Paisley they would have valued my work better." Ms Cross (44), of Sandford Avenue, east Belfast, worked for former MLA Monica McWilliams before she joined the Equality Commission as a policy officer in 2000.
The following year she applied for the position of deputy director (disability) but was not shortlisted.
Candidates had to have two years experience at staff officer level, a requirement Ms Cross felt she fulfilled with the Women's Coalition.
She said her work with Prof McWilliams - now chief commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission - included research, directing policy and managing up to 40 people.
Ms Cross told the tribunal: "I believe my employment record more than satisfied the criteria. The commission has failed to offer a reasonable explanation for not shortlisting me."
However Martin Wolfe, barrister for the equality commission, said Ms Cross did not detail the range of her duties with the Women's Coalition on her application.
The hearing continues.