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Met wins race case ahead of showdown with Ghaffur
Amar Singh and Justin Davenport1 Sep 2008
Scotland Yard claimed a timely victory today as an Asian officer lost his race discrimination case against the force.
Commander Shabir Hussain, 45, took his employers to a tribunal in June claiming he was repeatedly overlooked for promotion in favour of Commissioner Sir Ian Blair's "golden circle" of white candidates.
Mr Hussain accused the Metropolitan Police Authority, its chairman Len Duvall and Commissioner Sir Ian Blair of racial discrimination and causing him loss of earnings.
But a spokeswoman for the East London Employment Tribunal at Stratford today confirmed that Mr Hussain had "lost in both claims".
Mr Hussain said: "I'm disappointed but the hearing did expose the shortcomings of the promotion process. I aim to carry on with my career as normal."
The news is a timely boost for Sir Ian as Tarique Ghaffur, the Met's most senior Muslim police officer, prepares an unprecedented multi-million-pound claim, suing the force on the grounds of race, religious and age discrimination.
Mr Ghaffur is also accusing Scotland Yard of leaking personal details and jeopardising his safety. His legal team are calling for an independent investigation into how highly confidential information on him was leaked to the media this weekend.
He claims he has had to hire bodyguards after receiving death threats.
The 53-year-old Assistant Commissioner has formally accused Sir Ian of plotting to undermine and oust him.
Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson called on Mr Ghaffur to "shut up and get on with his job". Mr Ghaffur said that after Sir Paul's comments he was reconsidering his position with the Met. "I consider there is now a very serious risk of harm to both myself and those close to me," he said.
Mr Ghaffur's lawyer Shahrukh Mireskandari said today: "He is gettingemails, amongst other things, with abusive language and is fearing for his safety. He has had to borrow money to fund the case and now pay for his personal security."
Dr Mireskandari said reports this weekend in a national newspaper that Mr Ghaffur had been offered stress counselling by the Met's occupational health department showed Scotland Yard had been leaking information.
"They are allowing his file to be disclosed as if it's the wrapper on a chewing gum." A Met spokesman said: "We strongly refute allegations that we have released medical records. Such information is strictly confidential and continues to remain so."
Reader views (5)
Anthony, of Liverpool, I couldn't agree with you more.
- Eileen O Conor, Cordoba Spain, 01/09/2008 17:35
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I'm sure there's a lot of spite and shin-kicking in every
competitive hierarchy: (I'm self-employed, thank heavens)No doubt Mr Ghaffur's situation is unenviable, but thoughts about heat and kitchens do come to mind.
- Mdj, Leyton, e10 london, 01/09/2008 15:21
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I cannot comment on the decisions that have been made by his superiors about Mr.Tarique Ghaffur's promotion or lack of it but I am of the opinion that they made the right ones judging by his very public outbursts. This does not show great commitment on his behalf.
- Martin, London UK, 01/09/2008 14:32
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There will never be enough that this country can do for ethnic minorities not until we completely hand over all positions of power and influence.
Some of the ethnic minorities will push and push the race card until they are in control.
- Anthony, Liverpool, 01/09/2008 14:08
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"What Stephenson said has incited hatred against Tarique Ghaffur"
I think you will find that publicly suing your colleagues and subordinates is what incites hatred.
Holding press conferences and briefing the media regularly incites hatred.
- M Spanner, Ilford, 01/09/2008 11:21
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