A Bermudian addictions counsellor has reached a settlement with the Salvation Army for wrongful dismissal.

The Royal Gazette has learned Stephanie Burrows has received a substantial amount in her wrongful dismissal and defamation action filed with the Supreme Court on January 27.

The action was against top level staff at the Harbour Light drug rehabilitation programme, including her former boss Major David Goulding, the director of the shelter.

Health and Social Services Minister Nelson Bascome was also a party to the writ as a result of his former position as a senior counsellor at the Salvation Army.

He resigned immediately after being re-elected to Parliament and being appointed to the Cabinet last November.

When contacted yesterday, Mrs. Burrows' lawyer Juliana Jack refused to give details of the amount of the settlement, saying that was part of its conditions.

"I'm not permitted to disclose that,'' she said. "My client is still pursuing through the Human Rights Commission a claim for sexual discrimination however.'' Ms Jack added her client is still out of work -- almost 11 months after being dismissed by the Salvation Army on June 2.

She joined the Harbour Lights programme some eight months before after extensive experience overseas.

Salvation Army divisional secretary for business administration Major Wilson Noble, would only confirm there had been a settlement when contacted yesterday.

Mr. Bascome, when told of the settlement, said: "Whatever parties involved in this sort of thing wish to do to get to the bottom of a matter, then I'm all in favour of it.'' Named: Nelson Bascome Graphic file name: BASKER