Morning:
13°c
Catherine Crawford is accused of racial prejudice
The Metropolitan Police Authority's top official was being investigated today over allegations of racism.
Catherine Crawford, the chief executive of the authority which oversees Scotland Yard, faces claims that she failed to hold senior members of the Met to account over claims of racial and religious prejudice.
The Metropolitan Black Police Association also accuses Mrs Crawford of rigorously investigating misconduct claims against ethnic minority officers, but failing to adopt the same approach when similar claims were made against white Met staff.
In legal documents the association also suggests that an unnamed source, said to be close to Mrs Crawford, will testify about an alleged "plot" against National Black Police Association president, Commander Ali Dizaei. The MPA and Mrs Crawford were "out to get" both Mr Dizaei and former assistant commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, the source allegedly claims.
Mr Ghaffur received an out-of-court settlement of more than £300,000 last year after agreeing to withdraw a race, religious and age discrimination claim against the Met. He blamed the alleged discrimination on the former Commissioner Sir Ian Blair.
An MPA spokeswoman confirmed it had received a complaint against Mrs Crawford and had appointed an independent investigating officer but could not comment further.
She added: "The MPA retains full confidence in its chief executive."
Reader views (7)
When are you people going to stop repeating the lie that the Metropolitan Black Police Association does not accept white members? They accept anyone who agrees with their aims, whatever race they are.
- Nolan, Londonist
"Here we go again," is spot on.
Except in our case we have the President of our country calling the cops and their actions "stupid" because white officers arrested a Harvard College black professor. If George Bush had said something similar about black officers' actions in Chicago, the media would have crucified him. Nothing like double standards, in your country and mine.
- John D. Smith, Fredericksburg, Va. USA
More of the same. Nothing changes - trial by accusation.
- Rogan, Irving
Oh here we go again.
- Miles, London
Why does the media consistantly report that ONLY white people are racist, this itself is racist and I am fed up with the one eway street, as I'm sure many others are too! I have experianced racism from people of all colours in this country so please dont make out minorities are all victims, because they are not, they are just as likely to be racist as anyone else.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London
But the Metropolitan Black Police Association, which does not accept white members, and supports only ethnic minority officers, is not racist and does not support racist policies?
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
A black only organisation making a complaint about racism? It is just too funny for words.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
