The mother of a disabled boy goes to the European Court of Justice today in a case that could bring new rights to Britain’s six million carers.

Sharon Coleman, whose son Oliver suffers from deafness and a rare breathing disability, says she was forced to resign from work as a legal secretary after being harassed by her employers and refused flexible working hours to care for her son.

John Wadham, legal director at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which is supporting Ms Coleman’s case, said: “This is a truly landmark case and I hope it will have a real impact on the lives of millions of carers, 60 per cent of whom are women.”

Ms Coleman said: “Fighting this case has taken a lot of courage, and I really hope that we get a positive result from the European Court. It is so important for people who care for disabled children not to be forced to choose between their job or being a mother.”

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