A MINI plant worker who tried to sue BMW for £1million in damages has had his case struck out after he was caught feigning symptoms.

After losing the 'landmark case', Darius Creer, of Blackbird Leys, now faces having to pay more than £100,000 in court costs.

He claimed that an electric shock suffered whilst working on the assembly line in April 2013 had left him unable to use his right arm.

But insurers acting on behalf of BMW covertly followed him and filmed him driving and seemingly working at a local car repair workshop where he was seen pushing a car using his right arm.

Details of the case have emerged after Peter Bennett, of Dolmans Solicitors who represented BMW, issued a report stating: "The importance of this decision cannot be overstated."

He explained that it is the first known case of its kind that was struck out due to 'fundamental dishonesty' before a costly multi-day trial had started, the report stated.

The ruling could save other insurers 'considerable' amounts of money in the future, according to Mr Bennett.

Mr Creer had only worked at the Cowley plant for four months prior to the incident when he alleged he was electrocuted by the remote control of an overhead crane.

Footage of a medical examination showed him in apparent pain and that he could barely move his right arm.

He arrived at a further assessment with his arm in a sling and being driven by his wife, in what is believed to be a 'anti-surveillance tactic'.

But unbeknown to Mr Creer, the footage filmed covertly beforehand already proved there was 'little, or nothing' physically wrong with him.

Former colleagues gave statements on behalf of the defence confirming the incident was 'very minor' and that they were surprised at the nature of his claim.

Dolmans served a 56 page witness statement at Oxford County Court on July, 7, 2017 and two weeks later Mr Creer's solicitors removed themselves from the case.

He continued to fight on, representing himself, but it was struck out on November 29.

Gill Woolley, Head of Legal at BMW UK, said: “Like any responsible employer we are committed to ensuring high levels of health and safety in the workplace.

"Any genuine claims we receive will always be dealt with fairly and in a timely fashion.

"However, we will not hesitate to take appropriate legal action with regard to spurious or dishonest claims, as we have done with the support of our insurers on this occasion.”