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Ghaffur: My case puts Asians off joining Met
Amar Singh03.04.09
THE former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner today spoke out over his row last year with Scotland Yard about its alleged racism, saying it could put off Asians from joining the force.
Speaking for the first time about the case, which was settled out of court in a £300,000 deal, Tarique Ghaffur warned that the furore had caused a public "crisis of confidence" with the police.
He told weekly Asian newspaper Eastern Eye: "It is legitimate for people to say, 'if this can happen at that level, then what chance has anyone else got?' That is something organisations such as the police have to reflect on." He added: "It wasn't until I left that I realised the major dent it had made in public confidence."
Mr Ghaffur, 53, alleged in a press conference last summer that the then Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair had waged a campaign of racial discrimination against him. Mr Ghaffur was then suspended.
Sir Paul Stephenson, who has since replaced Sir Ian, said at the time that those making race claims should "shut up and get on with the job".
Reader views (12)
Well that should save the met having to pay out shedloads of money in compensation.
- Marie Lamb, stockport England
I would have thought the opposite - that they will be joining in the hope of makin a few hundred thousand pounds for nothing, just like Ghaffur.
- Sarahn, London, UK
Money grasping git, go away.
- Roger, Surrey
Is it really necessary to keep these timewasters on the police payroll? I mean that this person has never did a decent day's work in his life.
- Georgie, Islington, London
He's had his fun, and his payoff, all at Taxpayer's expense.
Now he should shut up or give back his loot to the long-suffering Taxpayers of this country.
- Cap, London
If people who expect to be promoted on the basis of their race are put off joining the police then I for one think that's a good thing. We can't afford more Ghaffurs!
- Mark, London
On the contrary. I've got to friends (one indian and one iranian) who'd never considered joining the police before, but now are considering. They both think Ghaffur caused his own downfall, though. And yes, they are aware of the fact that most of the Met's upper echelons are white males, but hey! They both like a challenge lol!
- Juma, london, uk
gafur should shut up get a life after milking the system.
- Beljamine, uk
If he shut up for 5 minutes about it then it would all fade into the background and people can get on with whatever they want to do, join the police or not join the police. Go away Tariq, enjoy your pension for goodness sake, do some voluntary work, just stop whingeing!
- Ranter, Maidstone, UK
He never complained when he got promoted. The man is a cretin of the highest order together with his solicitor.
- Frederick, London
Their capability is never an issue, its always their race.
The Met pander to them and once again this is demonstrated in the settlement figure he has received.
Disgraceful
- Irene Gizelle, London UK
Wish this silly little man would crawl into a hole and disappear, he is so pathetic, YES, JUST SHUT UP AND GET ON WITH YOUR JOB. SORRAYA
- Sorraya, croydon
