Ex-social work boss struck off for misconduct

Douglas Adams was assistant director of children's services at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council when he made a series of comments – some of a sexual nature – to four female colleagues, the General Social Care Council (GSCC) heard.

He was dismissed in 2006 following a disciplinary investigation into a complaint made by one of the women, a pregnant administrative worker who said Adams suggested she should have an abortion.

The 56-year-old from Nottingham did not attend the two-day hearing in central London.

Allegations that Adams had a conversation with the pregnant woman, known as Ms D, during which he told her "it would be easy to have an abortion because her pregnancy was not that far gone" were found proved, along with others including suggesting she would end up with no job and would lose her figure.

He also said he knew she was expecting a baby because he noticed her "tits" had got bigger, the GSCC heard.

Adams, who lost an appeal against his dismissal by the council, suggested that he had been trying to "shock" her into acknowledging the difficulties she could face as a young mother, the hearing was told.

The evidence of another woman, Ms A, that Adams told her he could imagine her in a "Miss Whiplash" outfit was also found proved.

Adams also told Ms A that an administrative worker – Ms B – was "completely off her head" and "all over the place" because she was undergoing fertility treatment.

According to the GSCC, Adams whispered an obscene comment into the ear of another female colleague, Ms C, during an office Christmas meal.