A SENIOR sales negotiator who was sacked from an award-winning estate agents over sexual harassment allegations once called the managing director's daughter "babe," a tribunal heard.

Melanie Hilder-Darling, whose mother Heather runs Callaways Estate Agents, said she challenged Michael Keilthy over his comments.

She said he behaved as if he was the "alpha male" in the office and that he "stood up" to women, adding that she spoke to her mother about him.

She was speaking at the employment tribunal of former employee Charlotte Lloyd in Southampton yesterday.

The 35-year-old, of Hove, is taking the estate agents, which also has a branch in Church Road, Hove, to tribunal after her resignation, claiming constructive dismissal.

She claims she was subjected to a number of sexual innuendos and gestures by Michael Keilthy, who was suspended and dismissed from the family-run firm based in Yeoman Way, Worthing, after she complained.

She worked there for 15 months and the tribunal heard how problems started almost immediately when he began working with Mrs Lloyd from February 2014 for five months.

There is no suggestion Callaways dealt with the treatment she was subjected to by Mr Keilthy incorrectly, as he was suspended and sacked in August 2014.

If Mrs Lloyd wins her case, she will be seeking compensation. She has since found work as a childminder.

The tribunal continues.