Lesbian model wins battle against Bhs

A lesbian model who was dumped as the face of a high street fashion store after she refused to sleep with her female boss has won compensation.

Sonja Walker was awarded ?1,000 and costs for the sexual harassment and discrimination she suffered at the hands of Bhs and Becky Hough.

But the employment tribunal rejected her claim for payment for the distress she endured, which she said led to her seeking treatment for depression.

Chairman Christopher Baron said: 'The boss's advances were unwelcome - they amounted to sexual harassment and less favourable treatment. We find it is just and equitable that the claimant be awarded compensation.'

The 26-year-old model, a 6ft blonde, claimed photographic manager Miss Hough was infatuated with her.

She said that, on a 2002 photoshoot in Norfolk, Miss Hough tried to kiss her in a hotel room and implied her career depended on sleeping with her.

Despite being rejected, a month later the boss sent Miss Walker a text message about a shoot in South Africa