Sir Ian accused of racist campaign

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Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Ian Blair now faces an expensive and potentially hugely damaging public row.

Legal representatives of Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur formally submitted his employment tribunal claims, a source close to the officer said.

They included allegations that Sir Ian and other senior members of the Met played a role in a campaign of harassment and discrimination against him.

The source said: "The papers were lodged electronically. There will be no further press statement.

"Ghaffur is very unhappy because the Met is briefing against him. Details of the claim will not be available to anyone until next week."

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

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

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

Mr Ghaffur is understood to be claiming hundreds of thousands of pounds in loss of earnings and damages.