November 14, 2011
A prison teacher who appeared on the X-Factor has begun an employment tribunal claiming unfair dismissal and sexual discrimination, after bosses accused her of wearing inappropriate attire and posting "sexualised" images on her website.
Faye Bray appeared on the ITV talent show in 2009. She was dismissed in January this year from her teaching role at Brinsford Jail in Wolverhampton, where she is alleged to have worn see-through trousers to work, leading one inmate to describe himself as having been "mesmerised."
Governor Stephanie Roberts-Bibby also said that the 30-year-old teacher had put up pictures on her website of her posing provocatively and holding a whip.
She said: "I didn't think it was appropriate for Mrs Bray to be displaying such material on a website.
"I am very keen that we don't do anything to reinforce negative stereotypes they may carry, not just of women, but of any group."
Mrs Bray denies wearing see-through clothing, claiming it was merely white. She said: "I never wore see-through trousers. I think all the ladies in the room will agree we like to wear white trousers in the summer."
She also accused one of her bosses of threatening to punch her when she asked for a day off. She said: "I forgot I had a dental appointment. When I asked Glenn, my boss, if I could have the next day off he told me that if I didn't come into work he'd punch me in the jaw.
"He is a rather pathetic person who is threatened by strong women, all the staff laugh at him."
The tribunal also heard that Mrs Bray had recorded a Christmas single whilst already suspended for breaching her employers' media rules by making public appearances without notifying her bosses.
The hearing continues.
