Talks between the Met and Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur over claims of racial discrimination have collapsed after he demanded a leading legal figure to chair the mediation process.

Names in the frame included Cherie Blair and Lord Falconer, but it is believed the force vetoed the idea for fear of cost.

Mr Ghaffur's representatives today issued formal proceedings for an employment tribunal.

A protracted legal battle that threatens the leadership of Commissioner Sir Ian Blair now looks likely with Mr Ghaffur, the Met's third most senior officer, alleging he has been sidelined and undermined in his role.

Both sides had been locked in talks about the mediation process but Mr Ghaffur's lawyer Shahrokh Mireskandari of Dean & Dean, said today: "They have been totally unreasonable and were wasting my client's time. They presented a list of demands amounting to stalling. They have no intention of resolving this.

"We suggested Lord Falconer as a mediator, they rejected him."

A Met spokesman said the force regretted the breakdown of talks and added: "We do not know what matters AC Ghaffur seeks to resolve in the employment tribunal because, despite many requests, his legal advisers have not informed us of them."

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