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Police watchdog: I'm distressed at claims of racism
Amar Singh and Martin Bentham01.07.08
The chairman of London's police watchdog said today that being called a racist had made him "extremely upset".
As the force faced a crisis over allegations of racism by senior officers, Len Duvall defended himself in front of an employment tribunal.
Mr Duvall is being sued by Commander Shabbir Hussain in his capacity as chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority. The officer claims his promotion was blocked in favour of a "golden circle of white officers".
But Mr Duvall said he had a long history of championing diversity in the Met, and spent much of his student years affiliated to the Anti-Nazi League.
"On a personal level I am extremely upset the claimant has lodged a claim of discrimination and cited me as a respondent. I am not a racist," he said. "I am aware of the duties I have to the MPA and I take my duties very seriously.
"The claimant's race has no bearing whatsoever on the [promotion] decision, the simple reason was that there were other candidates that were better than him."
Asked what his first political involvement had been, Mr Duvall said: "With the Anti-Nazi League during my student-years. I wasn't an active member, but it was my first political affiliation."
Last week, Commander Hussain alleged that Britain's most senior Asian police officer, Met Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, confided in him that he regarded Duvall to be a racist. Mr Ghaffur is preparing his
own case against the force, claiming he was undermined by Mr Duvall and Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, also because of his race. Asked about Mr Ghaffur's alleged comments about him, Mr Duvall said: "I am very surprised and upset by those statements."
Asked if he agreed with Commander Hussain's assertion that a glass ceiling existed in the Met, blocking minorities from senior posts, Mr Duvall said: "I don't think there is a glass ceiling," giving the examples of Mr Ghaffur and Kent Chief Constable Michael Fuller, who was a Met deputy assistant commissioner.
He added: "There isn't positive discrimination in the Met, there is support for minority candidates who apply for positions. It is a process based on merit - not race. There is a general encouragement for minority officers to apply."
Mr Duvall was defended by a black member of the police authority, Cindy Butts.
Speaking at the tribunal in Stratford Miss Butts said: "I have worked with Mr Duvall for over four years. I have had no reason to suspect him of being a racist.
"I have witnessed his desire to ensure the policies of the force and the MPA meet the needs of diverse communities. On a social level I have had nothing to suggest Len is a racist at all.
"As a black woman Len has been incredibly supportive and gone out of his way to help my development".
Commander Hussain is also making his claim of race discrimination against Sir Ian Blair in his role as Met Commissioner. The tribunal continues.
In Parliament today Home Office minister Tony McNulty backed Sir Ian and Mr Duvall.
Questioned by MPs on the home affairs committee, he said: "If the notion is that somehow that under Sir Ian Blair's leadership or under Len Duvall there is racism this is without any foundation whatsoever."
