An employment tribunal in Leeds was told yesterday that the woman - who cannot be identified because of a court ruling - suffered from severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which led to an embarrasingly windy problem at work.

But far from getting sympathy, she claims she was subjected to cruel jibes about a "terrible smell". And at one point, a colleague mocked her saying: "She opens the windows because she is stinking the place out", the woman's lawyers claimed.

In another alleged incident, her line manager made an "unhumorous bowel joke" to another colleague in clear earshot of her.

The woman complained about being harassed but disciplinary proceedings were started against her because of her increased sickness absences and concerns about the quality of her work, the Leeds tribunal heard. She was eventually sacked by the university after long bouts of sick leave.

The tribunal was told that at one point the woman, from Bradford, was off sick for an average of four days every month, but she had failed to register with a local GP and did not produce the required sick notes.

Her line manager Nick Cole told the court the reasons for her sacking in 2006 were unrelated to her condition.

In fact, her bosses were becoming "less confident in her ability" and she was "increasingly difficult to manage", he said.

He also claimed to have been "absolutely" shocked to learn through an official grievance letter that his colleague felt she was being unfairly targeted.

"I was not aware of any disharmony," he told the three-strong tribunal panel.

"I was completely unaware that she felt she was being harassed.

"I felt physically sick when I read her letter. I have never harassed her or witnessed any incidents.

"I had provided months of support including being a sounding board and arranging occupational therapy for her."

The woman is claiming disability and racial discrimination against the university, as well as unfair dismissal and breach of contract.

The tribunal banned the YEP from naming the woman, saying irritable bowel syndrome is a disability.

The hearing was told colleagues would make "exaggerated sniffing" noises when the claimant was in earshot and that her emails were bugged. But Mr Cole said those claims were "wild " and based on retaliation into the disciplinary procedures that had been started against her.

However the woman's solicitor claimed his client's complaints of harassment and her illness had not been taken seriously enough and: "Because it was taunting in relation to her disability, you did not deal with it in the same way as if she had said it was to do with race".

Proceeding