A former council worker told a tribunal yesterday that she was discriminated against after complaining about her boss when she was passed over for promotion.

The panel, which was considering allegations under “protected information disclosure” rules and racial discrimination, was told that Elishia Meade of Moorbank, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, was bullied and victimised by staff at Oxfordshire County Council.

A qualified teacher now working as an assistant school principal, she told the tribunal in Reading that a senior manager concocted a story that she had phoned him and said “you are going down,” after she launched grievance proceedings against him.

The former social inclusion officer, who worked at the council from 2010 until January this year, claimed she was overlooked for a promotion in favour of one of senior manager Iain Watson’s “favourites” who did not meet all the essential criteria for the post.

Ms Meade alleges that after she complained, she was bullied and signed off sick as a result.

When she was deemed fit to work she said the county council was obstructive in not allowing her to return. A grievance report published in July 2012 upheld part of her grievance of allegations of bias and bullying.

The hearing, expected to last four days, will resume today .