A teaching union rep accused of misconduct has lost a court case challenging the council’s power to suspend her.

Julie Davies, Haringey NUT secretary, was suspended by Haringey Council for gross misconduct in July.

Her suspension resulted in a legal battle over whether the council had the right to subject an elected union representative to its disciplinary procedures.

Niall Connor, deputy secretary of Haringey NUT, said the decision would have “dire consequences for the whole of the trade union movement”, and the union would appeal.

He said: “The judge has found that Haringey Council has the right to suspend Julie Davies, but not that they are right to. We will be fighting this decision through an appeal.”

He added that the NUT would also take legal action against the “victimisation” of a union representative in a separate case.

Mr Connor said that the court ruling presented a problem for the union movement as it deprived Ms Davies of a teaching job to return to if not re-elected as the union secretary.

Barristers acting for the union argued the authority had no power to discipline Ms Davies as she is employed by Northumberland Park Community School in Tottenham, and not by the council.

But Mr Justice Supperstone ruled in favour of the council on Friday after hearing that Ms Davies has not worked at the school since taking on the union role full-time 14 years ago.

Ms Davies was suspended over allegations that she had breached the authority's social media policy by writing critical tweets about former mayor Councillor Sheila Peacock. 

She also sent an email to her local councillor Barbara Blake, complaining about her bins and suggesting that Cllr Blake’s selection as a Labour Party candidate in September 2013 had been fraudulent.

The London Labour Group investigated the selection procedure in the St Ann’s ward in 2013 following complaints, but held that “the selection was safe and run in accordance with Labour Party rules.”

Teachers at Fortismere and Highgate Wood schools are currently balloting over whether to strike over the dispute.

In September a judge altered the terms of Ms Davies's supension by ruling that she be allowed to continue to represent union members after the council ordered her not to enter schools or council buildings.

A Haringey Council spokesman said: “We welcome the court’s decision, which confirms that our conduct in this case has been appropriate.

“Haringey Council has a proud history of supporting the essential role played by unions and we remain committed to ensuring that all schools have access to appropriate union representation.

"Throughout these proceedings we have taken necessary steps to ensure that NUT members are not adversely affected by this individual disciplinary matter and continue to enjoy access to union representation should they need.”