THE father of a brave young woman who was sexually assaulted by a disgraced former council leader says the council failed her.

The woman, just 19 years old at the time, was deeply traumatised after she was sexually assaulted by pervert Dr George Lord in 2010, then leader of Worcestershire County Council.

Her dad said when she complained about Lord’s behaviour to council managers she was told he was just ‘touchy feely’ and was made to feel like her allegations were ‘untrue’. She even had to call police herself rather than have bosses at County Hall spare her the anguish.

The 79-year-old whose last known address was Belle Vue Close, Marlbrook, Bromsgrove, was found guilty of the sexual assault after he denied the offence, forcing his victim to go through the ordeal of giving evidence behind a screen during a four-day trial in January.

The victim’s father contacted your Worcester News because he was angry that the current county leader, Coun Adrian Hardman, said the council acted ‘swiftly’ to support his daughter before Lord resigned on Saturday, November 6, 2010. He also slammed ‘vain’ Lord for not showing any remorse or apologising for the hurt he had caused his daughter who has had to have counselling since.

He said: “From the day my daughter first reported the assault to HR at Worcestershire County Council in no way have HR been supportive to her. In fact there was more of a leaning to calling her ordeal untrue and and she was encouraged to not progress with the allegation. The only support she received was from her family and from her work colleagues whom I would like to thank.”

Her dad said she had only just started there when Lord assaulted her and was scared if she complained she would lose the job she had worked so hard to get.

He said: “When she reported it to HR they said ‘he’s just a bit touchy feely’ and ‘he was just being friendly’ but she said ‘that’s not the case’. My daughter woundn’t invent something like that.”

Her father praised police and wished to thank them for their outstanding work and the compassion they showed his daughter.

Her dad also said his family were proud of the courage she had shown ,which had been “incredible”.

He said: “That lady who came forward from the 1970s – she wouldn’t have come forward if it hadn’t been for my daughter. She is very strong-willed. It was very brave. Court is a very intimidating place. Hopefully other women will come forward now.”

Her father also said Coun Hardman’s original statement that the case would “never have seen the light of day” 30 years ago was “unbelievable”.

He said of Lord: “I think George Lord came over to me is a very vain and self-important man. He’s never attempted to make an apology but I wouldn’t be prepared to hear from him after listening to him for four days at the trial. He’s getting what he deserves.”

Her father says he will attend Lord’s sentencing, scheduled to take place next month. Lord was put behind bars by the judge until the next hearing.

In a statement released by the council yesterday in response to the father’s comments, council leader Adrian Hardman said: “Worcestershire County Council treats any allegations, no matter whom they may be against, with utmost seriousness. Regardless of seniority, nobody is exempt from our code of conduct.

“To ensure employee confidentiality we do not comment on individual staff. We can confirm in this case from the day the incident took place, the individual involved has been supported by the county council. The matter was taken seriously from the outset and very quickly escalated to senior management.

“I would like to reassure people that any concerns they raise are always taken seriously. HR provides a comprehensive package of support.”