A FORMER city council officer says she was bullied by ex-Lord Mayor John Fareham who allegedly described her as having "lesbian hair".

Danish-born Inga Jorgensen also claims the politician regularly referred to her as "foreigner", "woman" and "wonk" instead of using her proper name.

Ms Jorgsensen worked as a support officer for the Conservative group led by Councillor Fareham for nearly four years until leaving her job in August last year.

In documents submitted as evidence to a standards committee hearing, she also claims he deliberately drank Bovril in her presence, even though he was aware that she hated the drink's smell.

Ms Jorgensen's complaint that he breached the code of conduct for councillors is one of two being considered by a special three-man panel.

In an internal council grievance form submitted in August 2009, she said: "I have suffered unfair and inappropriate treatment by Councillor John Fareham for some considerable time.

"His unwillingness to call me by the name my parents gave me and persistence in calling me anything but my Christian name, even after I have asked him not to, makes me feel like a possession, devalues me as a human being."

She says he once called her a lesbian for refusing to make him a drink.

The other complaint by council participation officer Sarah Gibson involves comments allegedly made by the Bricknell ward councillor at an area housing board meeting.

In her evidence statement, she says she was "shocked and offended" at remarks he made about prostitutes, lesbians and Polish plumbers with "big hairy moustaches".

The hearing continues today.