A ruling from the House of Lords means disabled people now have the right to challenge references given by former employers.

Prior to the judgement, the law provided no protection - and meant disabled people could not take companies to court if they felt they were being discriminated against after they had left the company or organisation.

In Thursday's judgement Nick Kirker, a former employee of British Sugar won the right to challenge a reference given by his former firm, which he claims has prevented him from finding a job.

Landmark ruling

Nick Kirker says he has not been able to find work since 1997 when he successfully sued British Sugar for disability discrimination.

Mr Kirker was awarded �160,000 - the highest award under the disability employment legislation at that time.

In August 1999 he applied for a job as a warehouse assistant through a personnel agency.

He claims he was not given the job on account of his reference from British Sugar, but he had not legal right to challenge the reference.

Mr Kirker said: "I am delighted with the judgement. This has been a long struggle and my initial court win turned into a pyrrhic victory because the bad reference I received meant I haven't been able to work since.

"I hope the judgement will give other disabled people the courage to challenge discrimination they suffer at work."