'Sidelined' officer in race discrimation claim against Met chief Sir Ian Blair

Britain’s highest profile Muslim police officer is preparing to sue Met chief Sir Ian Blair for racial discrimination.

Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur will seek compensation at an employment tribunal amid claims that he has been 'sidelined'.

He is said to be upset that he has been excluded from key meetings about the London Olympics in 2012, despite his role in charge of security planning.

Insiders said Mr Ghaffur had already been left 'hurt and humiliated' when, following a bitter row with Sir Ian two years ago, he was moved to a less prestigious job.

The move has prompted a new bout of infighting at the Metropolitan Police, just two days after another senior Asian officer accused Sir Ian of sidelining ethnic minorities to surround himself with a 'golden circle' of hand-picked favourites.

Commander Shabir Hussain told a race discrimination tribunal that Sir Ian uses his 'very significant influence' to earmark his chosen candidates for promotion.

The tribunal heard claims from the Asian officer that Mr Ghaffur had complained of racism in the Met, and had even called the head of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Len Duvall, 'a racist'.

Mr Hussain said: 'He told me about his own difficulties attaining promotion to the most senior ranks.

'He said the Met and the MPA, despite their public statements in support of diversity, do not value difference... He concluded by stating that, in his opinion, Len Duvall was a racist.'

Mr Ghaffur is also said to be angry that he was prevented from speaking out about the

recent vote for 42-day detention for terror suspects. Sir Ian backed the proposal.

The National Black Police Association, which is supporting Mr Ghaffur's claim, said the Uganda-born police chief has taken advice from a senior QC and has had legal papers prepared for a tribunal.

Senior Scotland Yard sources said last night that they were not surprised by the news.

One said: 'This has been on the cards for a very long time.

'There has been a monumental breakdown in the relationship between Sir Ian and Mr Ghaffur, and it appears a lot of dirty washing could now be aired in the public.

'It is not a good day for the Metropolitan Police. It is time for strong leadership.'

It is understood there are four main issues which have prompted Mr Ghaffur to take action, including his feelings over the Olympics and 42 days.

The £180,000-a-year officer is also said to be upset by a failure to renew his contract beyond March 2009, and that his relationship with Sir Ian has broken down so badly.

Mr Ghaffur refused to comment last night, adding: 'I'm not able to say a word.'

But Commander Ali Dizaei, the controversial president of the National Black Police Association, said he was aware of Mr Ghaffur's concerns.

Mr Dizaei, who has received £60,000 from the Met for race discrimination, said: 'It will be sad day for the police service if one of the UK's most respected senior ethnic minority police officers is forced to challenge his treatment in court.'

The timing could not be worse for Sir Ian. As well as the tribunal involving Commander Hussain  -  where the Met chief denies race discrimination  -  he faces the start of the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes in the autumn.

Should it rule the Brazilian was killed unlawfully, Sir Ian will face demands to resign.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'The Metropolitan Police Service is unaware that an Employment Tribunal application has been served or is in the process of preparation.

'Any suggestion the Commissioner will not speak to AC Ghaffur is absolutely untrue.'

Britain’s highest profile Muslim police officer is preparing to sue Met chief Sir Ian Blair for racial discrimination.

Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur will seek compensation at an employment tribunal amid claims that he has been 'sidelined'.

He is said to be upset that he has been excluded from key meetings about the London Olympics in 2012, despite his role in charge of security planning.

Insiders said Mr Ghaffur had already been left 'hurt and humiliated' when, following a bitter row with Sir Ian two years ago, he was moved to a less prestigious job.

The move has prompted a new bout of infighting at the Metropolitan Police, just two days after another senior Asian officer accused Sir Ian of sidelining ethnic minorities to surround himself with a 'golden circle' of hand-picked favourites.

Commander Shabir Hussain told a race discrimination tribunal that Sir Ian uses his 'very significant influence' to earmark his chosen candidates for promotion.

The tribunal heard claims from the Asian officer that Mr Ghaffur had complained of racism in the Met, and had even called the head of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Len Duvall, 'a racist'.

Mr Hussain said: 'He told me about his own difficulties attaining promotion to the most senior ranks.

'He said the Met and the MPA, despite their public statements in support of diversity, do not value difference... He concluded by stating that, in his opinion, Len Duvall was a racist.'

Mr Ghaffur is also said to be angry that he was prevented from speaking out about the

recent vote for 42-day detention for terror suspects. Sir Ian backed the proposal.

The National Black Police Association, which is supporting Mr Ghaffur's claim, said the Uganda-born police chief has taken advice from a senior QC and has had legal papers prepared for a tribunal.

Senior Scotland Yard sources said last night that they were not surprised by the news.

One said: 'This has been on the cards for a very long time.

'There has been a monumental breakdown in the relationship between Sir Ian and Mr Ghaffur, and it appears a lot of dirty washing could now be aired in the public.

'It is not a good day for the Metropolitan Police. It is time for strong leadership.'

It is understood there are four main issues which have prompted Mr Ghaffur to take action, including his feelings over the Olympics and 42 days.

The £180,000-a-year officer is also said to be upset by a failure to renew his contract beyond March 2009, and that his relationship with Sir Ian has broken down so badly.

Mr Ghaffur refused to comment last night, adding: 'I'm not able to say a word.'

But Commander Ali Dizaei, the controversial president of the National Black Police Association, said he was aware of Mr Ghaffur's concerns.

Mr Dizaei, who has received £60,000 from the Met for race discrimination, said: 'It will be sad day for the police service if one of the UK's most respected senior ethnic minority police officers is forced to challenge his treatment in court.'

The timing could not be worse for Sir Ian. As well as the tribunal involving Commander Hussain  -  where the Met chief denies race discrimination  -  he faces the start of the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes in the autumn.

Should it rule the Brazilian was killed unlawfully, Sir Ian will face demands to resign.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'The Metropolitan Police Service is unaware that an Employment Tribunal application has been served or is in the process of preparation.

'Any suggestion the Commissioner will not speak to AC Ghaffur is absolutely untrue.'