Black police officers in spy claim

Members the Metropolitan Black Police Association (MetBPA) said they have been forced to use counter surveillance tactics.

Officers have purchased unregistered pay-as-you-go phones and had their offices swept for bugs to block eavesdropping. They also now only hold meetings at secret locations arranged at short notice away from police buildings to hinder possible onlookers.

They fear senior Met figures will stop at nothing to undermine their organisation and its key members amid bitter accusations of racism at the head of Scotland Yard.

One officer said the memory of Operation Helios remained fresh in the minds of those at the MetBPA.

He said: "There is nothing we would put beyond the Met. Nobody thought they would suspend Commander Dizaei. They will stop at nothing. To discipline Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur for speaking to the media? Nobody can believe how desperate these people are."

The botched two-year multi-million pound Operation Helios corruption investigation focused on the activities of Commander Ali Dizaei. He was eventually cleared and awarded damages as it emerged he and other senior ethnic minority officers were bugged during the probe.

Mr Dizaei was suspended two days ago after claims he advised a defence team on a Met prosecution were published.

Further allegations concerning an arrest he made while off-duty at a restaurant and over the use of his corporate credit card are also being probed.

It recently emerged that his close friend Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur was also bugged and watched during the Helios probe. Mr Ghaffur was suspended earlier this month after he held a press conference detailing an employment tribunal claim alleging discrimination by the Met.