A TRANSSEXUAL trucker from Wirral is claiming victory on a sex discrimination claim after she was forced out of her job just weeks after arriving at work dressed as a woman.

Former soldier Mike Gaynor, 38, a pre-operative transsexual, was well-liked and respected in her trucking job in Liverpool, which she started in October 2006.

But trouble began when the twice-married father arrived to transport biscuits to a depot near Cardiff as Vikki-Marie, wearing make-up and jewellery.

The former scout leader, who obtained her HGV licence with the Royal Corps of Transport, told bosses in February last year that she intended to become a woman.

Throughout several industrial tribunal hearings in Liverpool this year, she claimed bosses began cancelling her shifts and she was subjected to cruel jibes from colleagues.

The tribunal panel heard that a colleague made offensive gestures at her at traffic lights.

Also, Miss Gaynor’s belongings and make-up were removed from her lorry and dumped in a bin liner in a disabled toilet at the DHL base in Kirkby.

Weeks later, Miss Gaynor, quit and began action against haulage firm Exel, part of DHL, and the Blue Arrow recruitment agency.

The tribunal found that DHL did remove Miss Gaynor from her regular run in part because of her transition status, but Blue Arrow did not “aid or abet”.

It concluded Blue Arrow did discriminate against Miss Gaynor in the way it dealt with her two grievance complaints.

The tribunal ruled against any discrimination on DHL’S part on a further four counts.

Speaking from her home in Wallasey, Miss Gaynor said it will be months before the parties agree a figure for compensation.

She said: “It’s been a year of hell but I’m pleased with the result. I had a job I loved. I was a good driver but I lost my job and I’ll never be able to go back.

“That’s the sad thing, I was a driver for so many years but since launching the tribunal I have lost my confidence in driving.

“I’ve been assaulted in Liverpool when I lost two teeth and been turned away from jobs because people think I'm going to sue, it’s been a nightmare.”

Miss Gaynor, who dressed as a woman in secret for 20 years, has launched her own business aimed at tackling transgender discrim-ination and prejudice.

She added: “I never thought I would lose my job and it would come to this. I just want to help other transsexuals through my new business. No-one should be discriminated against. DHL and Blue Arrow have fantastic equal opportunity policies which they completely ignored.”

A spokesman for Blue Arrow said: “Blue Arrow accepts the employment tribunal’s ruling. We now consider the matter closed.”

A DHL spokesman said the company was considering the judgement and that it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage.

laurasharpe