A FORMER Spanish embassy employee will take Spain to court tomorrow in a case that will examine the limits of state immunity in discrimination claims involving embassies. 

Lydia Lorenzo’s case was previously successful at the London Central Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal, despite Spain arguing that they have immunity from the claim under the State Immunity Act.

Ms Lorenzo, a British and Spanish dual national, was employed by the embassy in London until 2015. She then brought claims of unfair dismissal and race discrimination.

The Court of Appeal will now consider if sections of the State Immunity Act, which extends immunity to employment disputes involving embassy staff with dual nationality, can be disapplied. 

Ryan Bradshaw at Leigh Day, which is representing her, said: “I do not believe it in the national interest for us to allow discriminatory practices to be considered above the law in any workplace. 

“It is regrettable that our client issued her claim nine years ago and has still not obtained any finality. It is a credit to her that she has stuck with this through all that time.”