We were just cuddling, says sergeant 'in lesbian clinch'

Sergeant Louise Ashman and Lance Bombardier Kerry Fletcher are said to have kept the rendezvous after one sent the other a text message saying: "I feel randy."

But yesterday Miss Ashman insisted she was only comforting her colleague who had been upset by the unwanted attentions of a male sergeant.

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Giving evidence for her friend at an employment tribunal where Miss Fletcher is suing the Ministry of Defence for discrimination, Miss Ashman denied having had a sexual relationship with her.

"Kerry and I have never indulged in a sexual act together. We are close friends and nothing more," said Miss Ashman.

Challenging the stable block allegation, she said she had gone to see Miss Fletcher, who is 31, after receiving a distressed telephone call from her.

"We were in her horse's stable and I was comforting her with a cuddle when Gunner Ashley Yates appeared with his wheelbarrow," she said.

"We both turned to look at him and he smiled at us and carried on his way.

"When he saw us I did not have my hand inside Kerry's trousers and we were not kissing. I was cuddling a friend who was crying.

"I cannot understand why he is saying these things.

"I would not allow myself to get into such a position at work, as Yates is claiming, because I cherish my career too much and would not want to jeopardise my chances of progressing."

Both women claim they were pestered for sex by a male sergeant at their Army base in Topcliffe near Thirsk in North Yorkshire.

Miss Ashman said he had sent her and Miss Fletcher explicit text messages proposing sex.

She was serving as a clerk with the 40 Regiment Royal Artillery from November 2004 until April 2005, when she was posted to Iraq.

She struck up a friendship with Miss Fletcher at a corporals' mess function where they were the only women.

Miss Ashman told the hearing in Leeds: "A few days later Kerry invited me to her room for a coffee and I then realised that she was gay as she had photos of herself and her partner Pam [Begbie] on her wall. I am also gay so we had something in common."

She said she was invited over to the stables for coffee several times and was introduced to Miss Fletcher's sergeant, who came across as a womaniser.

"He seemed to be interested in any new girls that were posted to the regiment," said Miss Ashman.

"I believe Kerry told him that I was gay and he seemed to have a fetish with making up stories about Kerry and I being in a relationship."

Miss Fletcher is claiming sex discrimination and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

The accomplished horsewoman, who has taken part in the Trooping the Colour ceremony and served with distinction in Bosnia, claims the sergeant and other male colleagues tried to destroy her career and health because she was a lesbian.

The hearing continues.