Former policeman loses compensation claim

Apr 29 2008 By Peter Swingler

A FORMER policeman has been told to pay the West Midlands force £6,000 costs after losing a compensation claim for disability discrimination following a heart attack.

But Andrew Howship, of Thorpe Street, Burntwood, can still claim compensation against his former employers in another case alleging disability discrimination – this time involving diabetes.

Mr Howship, who left the force because of ill health, told Birmingham Employment Tribunal that heart trouble stopped him swimming, picking up fairly heavy goods and driving and helping his wife around the house.

"My kids had to treat me with kid gloves, I dare not pick them up because of my condition," he said.

Mr Howship said, however, that his condition had improved after a heart bypass operation.

He said he could now walk his dog two to three miles a day and do other things as long as he continued to take his medication. "The operation made a huge difference to my life," he said, but he still suffered from diabetes.

The police opposed the compensation claim linked to his heart trouble.

Tribunal chairman Peter Swann said the decision was that Mr Howship was not disabled under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Tom Rochford, representing the police, successfully applied for £6,000 costs in view of the tribunal's decision. It was agreed that the money would be paid within 21 days.

Mr Swann said Mr Howship could still go ahead with a compensation claim for disability discrimination connected to his diabetes.