An Asian police commander who claims that he was overlooked for promotion by Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair because of the colour of his skin told today of how Sir Ian's predecessor, Lord Stevens, mocked him for aspiring to reach the top.

Commander Shabir Hussain is suing the Metropolitan Police, the Metropolitan Police Authority and its chairman Len Duvall for race discrimination and unlawful deduction of wages.

In his statement to an east London tribunal, Mr Hussain referred to a meeting in 2001 with Sir Ian (then deputy commissioner), and John Stevens (then commissioner).

When asked by Sir Ian what his aspirations were he said: "I would like your job or the one next door," referring to the position of commissioner. "Lord Stevens said I had a great sense of humour. I understood this to be his way of saying that I wouldn't achieve promotion to the highest ranks."

Mr Hussain says he was rejected a staggering four times for promotion while Sir Ian's hand-picked "golden circle" of white officers were advanced.

Mr Hussain told the tribunal in Stratford how Sir Ian uses his "very significant influence" to earmark chosen officers for promotion over other candidates and that because he was Asian he was not one of the Commissioner's "favourite sons and daughters".

Promotions are decided by the independent Metropolitan Police Authority but Mr Hussain said: "Ian Blair seems to have his favourite sons and daughters who he sponsors."

The 45-year-old said he was assaulted on a strategic command course after the 9/11 attacks. He added that his four applications for promotion to deputy assistant commissioner between 2003 and 2007 were ignored and that one of those promoted over him was Cressida Dick despite her role in the disastrous operation which led to the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes in Stockwell. Mr Hussain also said he complained to Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, Britain's most senior Muslim officer, in 2006 about being overlooked and that Mr Ghaffur said the Met and the MPA did not value difference and in his opinion, Len Duvall was a racist.

The Met, the MPA and Mr Duvall deny the claims.

The hearing continues.

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