A NEWS editor accused of bullying has told an industrial tribunal she believes she was the one being victimised.

Giving evidence at a tribunal into a claim of unfair dismissal by former Kent Messenger Group sub-editor and features writer Amanda Fisher, Deborah Penn said the claimant made her feel 'vulnerable' and 'threatened'.

She said: "I was being systematically bullied and victimised by the claimant."

Ms Fisher, who joined the Kent Messenger's Larkfield headquarters in 2000 and was dismissed in June 2004, claims she was bullied by Miss Penn and others, including group magazines editor Debbie Eales, editorial training manager Neil Webber and travel editor Dave Balow.

On Friday Miss Penn, who worked in the company's group features department alongside Ms Fisher, told the tribunal, chaired by Christiana Hyde, that her working relationship with the claimant began well.

Miss Penn said Ms Fisher invited her over for Christmas in 2000.

But relations became so tense over time that, when Ms Fisher commented to Miss Penn about problems she was having with Neil Webber, she did not want to get involved.

Ms Penn said: "She was in the habit of having a lot of dramas going on, both personal and work ones. Because of her difficult attitude I steered clear of discussing anything like that with her.

"It was very worrying because I didn't know which way she would take it. If I was sympathetic she would accuse me of prying.

"So I was trying to handle everything to do with her with kid gloves. It was like walking on eggshells.

"It was a terrible time for me. She would switch from one mood to another without warning. I did make several complaints about how I couldn't cope with her. She used to start shouting.

"I think, looking back on it, she liked to draw attention to herself. If given a reasonable request she would shout back 'none of your business'."

She added: "My prime concern was to run a happy team. I was obviously living in cloud cuckoo land as it turned out.

"It was not pleasant working with her. To be quite honest she's claiming bullying but I feel I am the one who was bullied."

Miss Penn said that on one occasion, in the company's canteen at Larkfield, Ms Fisher launched a verbal attack on her. "It still gives me nightmares. I have never been subject to such vitriolic hatred in all my life and I just hope I am not again," she said.

"She said to me 'I loathe and despise you' and she said it with such venom in her voice and her eyes were narrowed. I can see it now."

Miss Penn recalled that Ms Fisher said 'I never want to be a part of a team of which you are a member'.

She said: "It shook me, it absolutely shook me. I absolutely jolly well hope I never have to deal with such a person again."

Also giving evidence on Friday, travel editor Dave Balow said Ms Fisher broke accepted rules for organising and accepting press trips on more than one occasion.

He said he felt she was 'playing off' one editor against another in order to secure holidays.

He also said he spoke and wrote to her about it several times.

In an independent investigation carried out by Kim Nicol following Ms Fisher's allegations, it was found that Mr Balow's behaviour towards Ms Fisher could be deemed bullying.

He said: "I found the whole thing extremely upsetting. I told Kim Nicol it is a disgrace that it should have come to tribunal.

"I said that the Kent Messenger should have every right to dismiss someone of her disposition. I think she took this the wrong way."

He added: "I have always stood up for the underdog. I have always, to my detriment, championed those who I feel have been bullied. I abhor bullying and to be accused of it I found offensive."

Mr Balow said he received a letter from editorial director Simon Irwin outlining the investigation's findings and asking him to sign the company's anti-bullying policy.

He said: "I have spent the last 30 years fighting bullying in all its forms. I found that particularly upsetting."

Mr Balow's evidence concluded the case for the respondant, the Kent Messenger. The case for the claimant will begin on Wednesday

The Kent Messenger continues to deny all of Ms Fisher's claims.