A former Network Rail employee has received a six-figure settlement after alleging she was sexually assaulted and harassed by a senior director. The settlement, reached in May 2025, concluded a three-year legal battle initiated by Lorraine Staves, 36, who sued both her former employer and the director, David McBride.
Staves alleged that McBride subjected her to sexual assault and harassment during a work trip in Lincoln in July 2022. She further claimed that he made unwanted sexual advances and engaged in further inappropriate behavior during a Christmas work event in December 2022. According to Staves, McBride attempted to kiss her, pursued her with calls and texts, and invited her to his hotel room. During the December event, she stated that McBride forced her to drink, made sexual comments, and kissed her forcefully in front of colleagues before entering her hotel room.
McBride has denied the allegations of sexual harassment. Network Rail acknowledged instances of harassment but not sexual assault in relation to the July 2022 incident. In an email dated May 12, 2024, a disciplinary manager for Network Rail accepted that McBride had attempted to kiss Staves and asked her to come to his room, apologizing for the harassment she experienced.
Staves claims that following her report of the incidents, she endured years of discriminatory treatment by Network Rail, which she says caused her psychiatric harm. She described feeling silenced and that her concerns were dismissed, with the matter becoming office gossip. She reported feeling excluded and treated differently by colleagues. Network Rail's internal investigation in May 2023 initially did not uphold the allegations, citing insufficient evidence and McBride's claims of consensual encounters. Staves also alleged that a private investigator asked her inappropriate questions during this period.
Witness and Investigation
The course of events shifted after a witness to McBride's alleged advances in July 2022 came forward in October 2023. This witness corroborated Staves' account of McBride leaning in for a kiss. Staves stated this eyewitness account was crucial in substantiating her claims, particularly regarding the December incident.
David McBride, who was Network Rail's head of commercial management, was dismissed for gross misconduct in January 2024, after nearly 11 years with the company. Staves was notified of his termination in March 2024. Lincoln Police had arrested a man in connection with a sexual assault report from December 2022, but the case was closed in November 2024 with no further action taken. Staves was informed of this outcome.
Settlement and Apology
Staves settled with Network Rail and McBride on May 23, 2025. The settlement amount, described as six figures, also accounted for psychiatric injury and discrimination, with Network Rail covering her legal fees.
A spokesperson for Network Rail stated that the behavior Staves experienced was unacceptable and apologized unreservedly. The company has since implemented measures to improve reporting and investigation processes for sexual harassment, emphasizing that such behavior will not be tolerated. They affirmed their commitment to ensuring all employees feel safe at work.