Met denies discrimination claims

5:19pm Thursday 28th August 2008

The Metropolitan Police has issued a sharp rebuke to one of its most senior officers who is accusing the force of race discrimination.

Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said the force would "robustly challenge" the claims made by Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur.

And he urged Mr Ghaffur, who earlier detailed his claims at a press conference to "shut up" and stop speaking publicly about the dispute.

Mr Ghaffur has blamed Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. He said he had been discriminated against "over a long period of time" by Sir Ian, and had been sidelined in his role leading security for London's 2012 Olympics.

Speaking at a press conference in central London Mr Ghaffur said his employment tribunal claim would include claims of race and religious discrimination.

Mr Ghaffur also said he had been "victimised" by the Met since his claim became public.

He said: "My current case is essentially to do with my treatment at the highest levels of the Met, in particular the discrimination I have been subject to over a long period of time by the present commissioner Sir Ian Blair.

"It is to do with the continuation of that treatment into the very important job I was doing as the co-ordinator of the security and safety of the 2012 Olympics.

"Finally it is to do with the victimisation I have suffered since my grievances leaked to the media."

Sir Ian has rejected the claims against him and said he has a "long, honourable and occasionally blood-stained record on the championing of diversity".