A POLICE officer from East Lancashire is continuing with an industrial tribunal action against her bosses although the man accused of sexually harassing her is dead, after apparently taking his own life.

Reehaina Saddique, the chairman of the Lancashire Black Police Association, accused her colleague PC Paul Wilkinson of sexually harassing her while they worked at Lea police station near Preston.

He was cleared by an internal disciplinary inquiry but an industrial tribunal claim for sexual harassment is still due to be heard in November.

WPC Saddique worked in Burnley during the race riots in the early 1990s and has featured in a series of high profile recruitment adverts.

The 28-year-old from Baxenden is on long term sick leave and has refused to comment on the case. She was at home yesterday but did not come to the door when a Lancashire Evening Telegraph reporter called. PC Wilkinson was found dead in his car near Leyland last month. An inquest has been opened and adjourned.

The body of the 35-year-old father of two from Preston was discovered with gunshot wounds to the head in his burned out car three weeks ago.

PC Wilkinson's death is also being investigated by the independent Police Complaints Authority.

The case was referred by Lancashire Police to the PCA and the investigation is centred on how PC Wilkinson got hold of the gun and ammunition.

Colleagues paid tribute to PC Wilkinson when he was buried in Preston last week, but senior officers stayed away from the service at the request of his widow Anne-Marie.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police confirmed that an industrial tribunal brought by WPC Saddique is due to take place in November. He also confirmed that an internal inquiry had cleared PC Wilkinson.

The spokesman added: "Because of the sensitive nature of PC Wilkinson's death it is difficult to comment at this stage.

"Following the tragic death of PC Wilkinson we referred the case to the Police Complaints Authority and they are carrying out a full investigation."