Pc sacked for cowardice claims £350,000 compensation

Alison Wheeler, 39, is accused of standing by while a fellow officer was punched and kicked to the ground outside a Surrey police station.

Officers allege the former opera singer failed to use her CS spray or support Pc Rory Channon during the struggle.

Miss Wheeler, who now works part time as a singing teacher, has launched a fight against her dismissal which she claims was "sexist" and "ageist".

The former public schoolgirl told an employment tribunal in Croydon, south London, she was bullied while working for Surrey Police because of her background.

Now seeking around £350,000 in compensation, Miss Wheeler claims she acted in accordance with the requirements of her job and said CCTV footage proved she had physically intervened in the incident outside the police station in Walton, Surrey.

But she told the tribunal that this footage was deliberately kept from her by the force.

Miss Wheeler, who gained a diploma from London's Trinity College of Music and worked as a mezzo soprano for ten years, joined Surrey Police in January 2006.

But a month before her two-year probationary period was due to end, she lost her job for reasons of cowardice, dishonesty and incompetence, the tribunal heard.

Miss Wheeler, of West Molesey, Surrey, denies the accusations which centre on the fight outside the police station where she worked, in October 2007.

The tribunal was told the policewoman failed to assist when Pc Channon found up to five young men fighting outside the station and attempted to arrest one of them.

The officer, who was off duty at the time, said he was attacked and had to make his way into the station while being punched and kicked.

And he said Miss Wheeler, who was in uniform and standing nearby, was shaking her CS gas but not moving.

Officers also allege Miss Wheeler failed to use her radio to call for support.

But the complainant insisted she had used her radio, was aware that backup was on its way and said CCTV images proved she entered the fray.

She said she felt her action was appropriate and she was sacked because bullying superiors believed she was "too posh" for the police and wanted her out of the force.

Owning a grand piano, she said, combined with her past as an opera singer, meant she was subjected to bullying.

But her superiors maintain she displayed a "lack of courage, and failed to take appropriate action to support a colleague".

When she disputed their version of events, Miss Wheeler claims she was accused of dishonesty.

The tribunal was adjourned until tomorrow.