Sir Ian Blair faces public fight with UK's most senior Asian officer after mediation talks fail

Britain's highest-ranking Asian police officer is set to take the Metropolitan Police to an employment tribunal for racial discrimination after peace talks collapsed.

Met Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, who claims he has been unfairly sidelined and undermined, was to undergo a mediation process with Scotland Yard.

However, a lawyer for Ugandan-born Mr Ghaffur, 53, claimed talks had broken down, partly over his wish to appoint a leading legal figure such as Cherie Blair QC, or the former Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, to chair the process.

A protracted legal wrangle now looks likely, with Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair facing the prospect of being hauled before a tribunal to answer Mr Ghaffur's claims.

Mr Ghaffur sparked a damaging race row last month after it emerged he was preparing to sue his force.

Colleagues said evidence of bullying, discrimination and victimisation against the senior Asian officer was compelling.

They said the officer, who is responsible for Olympic security preparations, had been treated extremely poorly.

Mr Ghaffur was said to have compiled a dossier detailing what he claims is victimisation by Sir Ian and Police Authority chairman Len Duvall.

Both men denied in the strongest terms that they had behaved inappropriately in any way.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said senior officers regret Mr Ghaffur's decision to withdraw from mediation and go to a tribunal.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair faces a public fight over racism claims after mediation talks failed

He said: 'At present we do not know what matters Mr Ghaffur seeks to have resolved in the Employment Tribunal because, despite several requests, his legal advisers have not informed us of them.

'But our offer to meet Mr Ghaffur and his legal advisers in a mediation, and to pay the reasonable costs of that mediation - including a substantial sum for his legal costs incurred in attending it - remains open.

'We hope that he will be willing at some stage to agree to proceed with the mediation as we believe that this will be in his interests, in the interests of the Metropolitan Police, and in the interests of the people of London.'

Last week the Metropolitan Black Police Association (MetBPA), which is supporting Mr Ghaffur, warned that any breakdown in talks may lead to expensive court action.

Chairman Alfred John said there must be 'equality of arms' for any mediation to work and accused the Police Authority of blocking an amicable resolution.

Sir Ian was recently forced to defend his record on diversity at an employment tribunal brought by Commander Shabir Hussain.

The 45-year-old officer alleged he was passed over for promotion in favour of a golden circle of officers favoured by Sir Ian.