FORMER TSSA head Manuel Cortes is still being employed by the union despite reportedly taking early retirement in the autumn amid serious sexual harassment allegations, it emerged today.

In a statement, the transport union’s executive committee said it had been unaware that Mr Cortes, who denies any wrongdoing, was still on the books but confirmed he has now been suspended, alongside four senior staff members.

The move comes after Wednesday’s publication of Lady Helena Kennedy KC’s damning independent report into TSSA, which found that female employees were subjected to sexual assaults, violent and disrespectful language and humiliation over many years.