Maternity rights for adopted children

A computer expert was celebrating victory last night in her bid to win maternity rights for parents who adopt children.

Janet Alderson claimed she had been forced out of her job with chemical giants ICI on Teesside when she adopted a two-year-old girl last year.

In the first proceedings of their kind, the former pounds 19,000-a-year systems administrator claimed she was entitled to the same rights as natural mothers.

After two days of evidence at a Middlesbrough industrial tribunal, a compromise was reached with ICI agreeing to introduce a policy with rights for parents who adopt and Mrs Alderson agreeing to withdraw her claim lodged under the Sexual Discrimination Act.

Mrs Alderson, 38, from Redcar, Cleveland, said she was delighted with the result. "This was never about money," she said. "It was about the rights of parents"