Morning:
11°c
Now Ghaffur sues deputy in charge of 2012 policing
Benedict Moore-Bridger, Evening Standard27.08.08
The Scotland Yard officer in charge of security for the 2012 Olympics is being sued for racism by his boss Tarique Ghaffur.
Richard Bryan, who is director of operations for Olympic security, is being accused of racism by Met Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur in a discrimination case lodged on Friday.
Mr Ghaffur, the Met's most senior Asian policeman, alleges that Mr Bryan made "thinly veiled" racist comments towards him and deliberately undermined his position. He is also suing Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair.
Mr Ghaffur claims Mr Bryan told him "I can't understand what you are saying" and said he had to "calibrate" his reports so staff were able to understand them.
The case also suggests that planning for the Games' policing - overseen by Mr Ghaffur - has been marred by plotting among senior Scotland Yard figures and the Home Office, creating a " degrading and humiliating" environment.
He says he was treated differently to white officers and claims that the three other Asian officers working on the Olympics command have been told their contracts would not be continued.
He claims documents were kept from him by Mr Bryan and Whitehall officials, that he was not made aware of key meetings and his opinions were ignored by Sir Ian.
Mr Ghaffur, who earns £180,000 a year, is continuing to work alongside his deputy and reports three times a week to Sir Ian for "cabinet" meetings.
A spokesman for the Met said they would "robustly defend" themselves at the expected employment tribunal next year.
Reader views (20)
Welcome to LibLabCon Britain, you keep voting for them! Wake up and demand an alternative to this PC rubbish.
- John, Wolverhampton
Being blessed with a "Geordie" accent that most people say they love, I have spent my life being told by Southerners that the don't understand what I say and can I repeat that. Wow, does that mean that I have been the victim of racist abuse and been discriminated against? Any no win no fee lawyers out there willing to take on my case? Give me a ring.
- Ernie Smith, Stockport England
I may be wrong but it seems to me that Mr Bryan was NOT commenting on Ghaffurs accent but rather on his use of language.
Maybe Mr Ghaffur was constructing reports or instructions which would be unintelligible to many because the sentence construction was too complex.
There is an index of intelligibility where short and to the point sentences using common words is best. Popularly known as "the Mirror" standard (as opposed to articles in the Guardian where many writers wish to display their extensive knowledge of English language.)
Been there, done that, when I always instructed my staff to use simple language when writing reports for Councillors. Not that I thought Councillors were thick (some were) but the report must be understood by all. I suspect that was all Mr Bryan was saying! The clue is in the use of the word "calibrate" by Mr Bryan.
- John Burt, Prudhoe Northumberland
Hey hey hey... what happened to the Chinese and far east? No one ever racist to them? Or are they a little bit more humble?
- Paul, manchester
Pathetic
- Don, london
It's obvious to one and all, that Mr Ghaffur is that busy suing every Tom, Dick and Harry, he should not be in a position of authority as no way can he perform his duties satisfactory. As for him heading security for the 2012 Olympics... well God help us all! Who will he sue next? Probably the Queen!
- Maureen Cohen, London UK
Good for Traique: The sooner the Met is purged of its reactionary Neanderthals the better for us all!
- Jon, London
As a former Metropolitan Police Officer I am saddened by the allegations of racism and in fighting at New Scotland Yard. Such reports damage the reputation of the 'Met' and other police forces. Working with various police forces since 1955 to the present day,never before have I heard of there being such allegations of disagreements between senior police officers. This is a serious situation that is undermining the confidence in our police.
Importantly we live in the 'age of terrorism' and all energies should be concentrating on providing safer communities and in planning for the Olympic Games in London.
I plead with the officers involved to talk man to man and resolve this unfortunate situation as a matter of urgency in the interest of British policing and the communities that they promised to serve without prejudice or favour.
Ken Rogers MA(Criminology)FIISec.MIIRSM. Cllr responsible for police liaison (Wivenhoe) Former lecturer MBA, MOD and other courses.Editorial Board 'Professional Security' and 'Protecting Citizens Worldwide' (PCW)
- Ken Rogers, Wivenhoe, UK.
Perhaps someone could go through his record? In view of the number of cases of police negligence, corruption and incompetence, perhaps he could simply be sacked, or sued? But of course I'm sure his record is absolutely wonderful.
- Sebastian, Manchester, England
Interesting topic as this is becoming a serious issue for all official bodies in the UK. In the event that there is found to be no grounds for the allegations, the accused are not able to place a reverse complaint. The Met need to stand their ground and get to the bottom of this - hopefully it will then set the course for all similar claims where there seems to be no substantial evidence to hand.
Racism is a serious thing and should be eradicated but it seems unfair that certain members of our community can pull the race card whenever they are found to be lacking in other areas and are out of their depth.
Policing 2012 is already becoming an issue as the UK do not have an army of millions like China does and our forces in London and surrounding counties simply do not have enough staff to support this - it is interesting that Mr Ghaffur has not driven as much publicity around this as he has his own case?
- Penny, London
Tarique Ghaffur is obviously just trying it on, threatening anyone and anybody with racism charges in order to secure as much cash as possible. It seems that Tarique is the racist, playing the race card for personal profit. He should be stripped of his UK citizenship and deported as an undesirable-alien back to Uganda.
- Sean, London, UK
The whole thing is an absolute farce. This chap has benefited immensely since he arrived in this country and has reached one of the most senior ranks in the police force. For him to turn around and claim racism does not seem to ring true - plenty of other good senior officers will never make Commissioner, and they simply live with it. It smells like sour grapes to me.
- Huw Morgan, London
Maybe, if he spent a bit less time with his lawyers, he wouldn't miss out on crucial meetings.
He says he is treated differently. Maybe if he didn't take every conversation and imply racism, he wouldn't.
I think the Met should suspend him till these cases are over. It can't be good for morale.
- M Spanner, Ilford
The danger of employing anyone from a non white ethnic group is that you cant treat them the same as anyone else. When I ran a business, I fell foul because I reprimanded an afro Caribbean for being continually late, as I would anyone regardless of colour. I was reported for racial harassment. Result? I only advertised for staff in the New Zealand and Aussie press, and avoided job centres like the plague. No more problems!
- Mark Armstrong, london. uk
I think Mark is very wrong for his comment my mates who are Asian all speak proper English and in most cases better English then our kids from here... if one is being racist one needs to stand tall and fight for his/her respect and right. Also us the English have been racists to sctos and northern people for as long as I have been here.'Northern Moneky'...? See my point... Mark.
- Brad, London, London
Does Mr. Ghaffur find time to do any police work thereby justifying his huge salary or is he too busy looking for slights from his colleagues?
- Peter, Swansea
This petty self publicist is a bore and undoubtedly is bringing the force into disrepute. Who's he going to sue next... his tea lady for not asking him what he wants before everyone else?
- Brian, London
About time this idiot was given his marching orders isn't it? He's nothing but a drain on the finances of the Met!
- Andrew, London, UK
Oh for god's sake. Let's be honest a lot of Asian people's accents are hard to understand. If I don't understand somebody from Newcastle or Glasgow does that make me a racist? He should be sacked for bringing the force into disrepute.
- Mark, London
Me thinks that Mr.Ghaffur has a huge chip on his shoulder. I hope he will not sue me for this.
- Paul, London UK
