Representation:-
where an individual's job offer is withdrawn following their prospective employer's receipt of a damaging reference from a former employer, the act of withdrawing the offer does not amount to a break in the "chain of causation" and both the prospective and former employers can be held liable for loss of earnings (as well as injury to feelings) flowing from their unlawful acts of discrimination by victimisation under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.
For relevant general notes go to Sex discrimination/victimisation and/or References for former employees/a general note and/or Equality Act 2010/victimisation