A top cop has denied sexually harassing and bullying one of his fellow detectives.

An employment tribunal heard Sutton police station-based Detective Chief Inspector Patrick Franklin falsely claimed he had been having sex with, or "tapping", Detective Constable Andrea Brown.

The tribunal, held in Croydon, also heard that Det Chief Insp Franklin treated Det Con Brown "horribly" as she tried to cope when her dad became seriously unwell.

The hearing, which started last week, is investigating a string of claims from Det Con Brown including that she was sexually harassed and discriminated against and bullied by her bosses during 2011.

She also says she was unfairly refused flexible working hours so she could look after her daughter.

Det Con Brown, who has been signed off from work since March, told the tribunal DCI Franklin falsely claimed to be "tapping" - a slang term for having sex - her while the pair worked together in Croydon.

After they were both posted to Sutton in 2011, Det Con Brown claimed he walked behind her and said "looking fit, girl".

Speaking at the tribunal today, Det Chief Insp Franklin said: "I did not, at any stage, make such a comment".

The tribunal also heard that Det Con Brown asked to work flexible hours so she could look after her daughter but her request was blocked by Det Chief Insp Franklin despite other officers being allowed similar arrangements.

Det Chief Insp Franklin told the hearing the arrangement would have had a negative impact on the standard of service provided to the public.

Det Con Brown's dad became seriously ill in 2011 but Det Chief Insp Franklin refused to give her compassionate leave and even called her into his office to discuss her finding employment elsewhere in the force on the same day she had been told her father's condition worsening, the tribunal heard.

Det Con Franklin sent a text message to a colleague after the meeting to say she had been treated "horribly".