A breakdown in the relationship between the Equality Commission and a woman taking a case against the Alliance Party led to the organisation withdrawing its support for the high-profile industrial tribunal.

At a hearing in Belfast yesterday, after 12 days of evidence, the Equality Commission made a shock announcement that it no longer supported Margaret Hawkins, a former Alliance Party employee who accused David Ford of turning a blind eye as she was bullied by colleagues.

The Equality Commission, which funded the legal bid, has not stated the precise reasons for their u-turn but it came after it emerged Mrs Hawkins incorrectly told the tribunal she had a degree from the University of Ulster.

As a result of the decision to withdraw its support, 60-year-old Mrs Hawkins told the hearing she was not in a financial position to continue with the case: “I feel exhausted, both physically and mentally, having gone through two tribunals in the last three weeks. As I have no other means of funding, I therefore feel I have no alternative but to withdraw.”

Accepting her request, panel chair Patrick Kinney dismissed the case.

He explained that because the tribunal was halted rather than reaching a conclusion, the panel would not make a recommendation for Mrs Hawkins to be investigated by police for perjury.

The dramatic twist to proceedings has attracted criticism from the Alliance Party, outraged at the organisation’s decision to represent Mrs Hawkins.

The party’s deputy leader, Naomi Long, said: “I am delighted that the Alliance Party has been completely vindicated by the manner in which this case has collapsed.

“I am, however, sorry that I was not able to give my own evidence and face down the hurtful, outrageous and false allegations made against me.

“This is a case that should never have come to tribunal.

“It also raises enormous questions about the role and conduct of the Equality Commission who have on this occasion wasted thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money and left good cases unsupported in their quest for cheap headlines and publicity.

“I note with concern that the claimant gave sworn evidence that she had a university degree and this was subsequently confirmed by the Commission’s lawyers to be entirely untrue.

“That sworn claim has now been admitted to be completely untrue.”

Alliance Assembly member Stephen Farry, who was accused by Mrs Hawkins of bullying her, said she had been engaged in a clear and calculated attempt to undermine his integrity as a public figure by pursuing the case.

According to the Equality Commission, the decision to withdraw support was taken in accordance with the Commission’s Legal Assistance Policy which provides for a review where there has been a change in the circumstances.