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Watchdog is divided over Ghaffur axe
Pippa Crerar, City Hall Editor10.09.08
The Metropolitan Police Authority is divided over Sir Ian Blair's decision to strip race row police chief Tarique Ghaffur of his duties, it emerged today.
Several leading members of the body criticised the Met chief 's actions and accused the force of "bullying and harassment". But others condemned the Assistant Commissioner's behaviour and fully backed Sir Ian's decision.
Britain's most senior Asian officer was "temporarily relieved" of his command in charge of Olympics security and central operations at Scotland Yard yesterday.
Peter Herbert, MPA member and chairman of the Society of Black Lawyers, said he was "astonished" by the decision. He said: "The message to black and minority police officers is ... your presence will not be tolerated if you for one moment are seen to step out of line."
But several MPA members felt Sir Ian had no option. Green member Jenny Jones said: "I've been furious with Tarique's behaviour on this. He's been very undignified so I think it's a perfectly reasonable thing to do. Sir Ian made the right decision."
One member, who asked not to be named, suggested the Met chief should have gone further and suspended Mr Ghaffur. Boris Johnson has also backed Sir Ian's decision.
Reader views (7)
this situation reminds me of the story of the trojan horse.john mckim. glasgow
- John Mckim, glasgow.uk
- Mohammed Shahed, west midlands
No surprises that a Muslim would come out and support this kind of behaviour. It must be racist if he is Muslim. Perhaps Sir Ian Blair whose job is to protect London from from extremist Muslims should be stoned to death or beheaded.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
How many more are going to pull the race card????? If you're not the right person for the job then so be it and totally agree with Sir Ian
- Sarah, London
What's happened is totally out of order, Mr Ghaffur should have remained in his position, all that Mr Ghaffur wanted was to be included in the top level meetings and not be side lined when important desions where been made, as a result of what Mr Ghaffur was going through, he had no choice but to seek advise and let the public be aware of how the MET works with BLACK and ASIAN officers. (Ian Blair should have been sacked for his unjustified actions during the 7/7 atacks when that Poor guy was shot dead (Murdered) by the MET.
PS: Ian Blair is in a Top position, knows all the important people in the right places, and knows that he's position will be safe, what ever is does.
- Mohammed Shahed, west midlands
Fully support Sir Ian's decision, Tarique's behaviour on this is well out of line.
Smacks of yet another Officer who has either reached his ability ceiling or what's more likely already over-promoted and is pulling the race card out of the bag in order to progress further.
Job allocation and promotion should ALWAYS be on ability and canditates compete against each other both on practical ability and interview so the individual who is most QUALIFIED and has the BEST ABILITY gets the job....
NOT an individual who 'ticks' all the race/minority/pc box's but is maybe lacking in actual ability.
- Frank, Oxford, UK
Of course he should be suspended he's undermining the integrity of the police force for personal gain if he's not the right man for the job then he's not the right man whats racist about that
- Ron Sealey, Croydon England
So they should strip him!.
Send a message to anyone else trying to stir up racial trouble
- Dave, leicershire uk
