Met boss facing racism claims

Britain's top police officer has been accused of mounting a racist campaign against an Asian colleague.

Met Police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur has formally submitted employment tribunal claims against Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, a source close to the officer said.

They include allegations that Sir Ian and other senior Met officers took part in a campaign of harassment and discrimination against Mr Ghaffur.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said they were not aware any papers had been lodged. No one at the tribunal was available to comment.

Sir Ian has rejected the claims and said he has a "long, honourable and occasionally bloodstained record on the championing of diversity".

It is the first time an officer of such seniority has launched such an action against the Met and it threatens to plunge the force's leadership into crisis.

Mr Ghaffur, Britain's most senior policeman from an ethnic minority, is understood to be claiming hundreds of thousands of pounds in loss of earnings and damages.

Attempts to head off a full-scale employment tribunal with mediation failed.

Sir Ian has already been forced to defend his record on diversity at a tribunal this year when Commander Shabir Hussain, another senior Asian officer, claimed he was repeatedly overlooked for promotion in favour of white candidates.

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