Bullying claims.

ART gallery bosses have denied they ignored claims that the chief executive is a bully.

Artist Topsy Qur'et, who worked at Newcastle's Waygood Gallery, took Helen Smith to an employment tribunal, alleging she had him fired after months of tension.

Former Waygood board member Carol McGuigan, Mr Qur'et's partner, told the tribunal the board had not looked at bullying claims against Ms Smith because they did not want to risk losing her.

Ms Smith is a leading figure in plans to use taxpayer funds to open a new art gallery in the city's High Bridge.

The gallery management team have already been labelled by city leaders as one contributing factor in a multi-million pound overspend on the gallery which has seen Newcastle Council forced to find extra cash.

But speaking for the gallery, Henry Trory said large sections of Ms McGuigan's evidence were based on "total speculation". Mr Trory said a full investigation had already been made into Mr Qur'et's and Ms Smith's claims.

The tribunal panel heard all the evidence over three days and are expected to give their decision next month.

CAPTION(S):

DISPUTE: Topsy Qur'et and the Waygood Gallery's chief executive Helen Smith, top