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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Minister faces police racism row | Minister faces police racism row |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| The police minister will be questioned about claims by the country's most senior Asian police officer that he is the victim of racial discrimination. | The police minister will be questioned about claims by the country's most senior Asian police officer that he is the victim of racial discrimination. |
| The chairman of the Home Affairs select committee, Keith Vaz, told the BBC that the committee would raise the issue with Tony McNulty next week. | The chairman of the Home Affairs select committee, Keith Vaz, told the BBC that the committee would raise the issue with Tony McNulty next week. |
| Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur is said to be considering taking legal action against the force. | Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur is said to be considering taking legal action against the force. |
| Mr Vaz said London Mayor Boris Johnson should intervene in the row. | Mr Vaz said London Mayor Boris Johnson should intervene in the row. |
| Mr Ghaffur's allegations reportedly include being silenced over concerns against powers to detain terrorist suspects for 42 days. | Mr Ghaffur's allegations reportedly include being silenced over concerns against powers to detain terrorist suspects for 42 days. |
| He also claims to have been sidelined by Commissioner Sir Ian Blair in key decisions over the 2012 Olympics, despite being in charge of planning security. | He also claims to have been sidelined by Commissioner Sir Ian Blair in key decisions over the 2012 Olympics, despite being in charge of planning security. |
| Metropolitan Police Commander Ali Dizaei told the BBC the two men had held at meeting on Friday morning, but were "still at odds". | |
| Intervention | Intervention |
| Mr Vaz told Radio 4's Today programme: "What has changed since the Stephen Lawrence issue is black and Asian officers are now willing to challenge for the highest jobs in the police service. | Mr Vaz told Radio 4's Today programme: "What has changed since the Stephen Lawrence issue is black and Asian officers are now willing to challenge for the highest jobs in the police service. |
| "What is disappointing is that a number of those officers who have served their country well feel that they are being discriminated against. | "What is disappointing is that a number of those officers who have served their country well feel that they are being discriminated against. |
| "That is why we need to get to the root of things and understand what is happening and put things right. | "That is why we need to get to the root of things and understand what is happening and put things right. |
| "It does need intervention - if not from a minister then from the mayor of London." For a person of his personality and character to embark on this course of action - I think he is at the end of his tether Ali Dizaei Metropolitan Police Commander | "It does need intervention - if not from a minister then from the mayor of London." For a person of his personality and character to embark on this course of action - I think he is at the end of his tether Ali Dizaei Metropolitan Police Commander |
| The Metropolitan Police has said it is unaware of any tribunal application being made by Mr Ghaffur but would be disappointed at any such action. | The Metropolitan Police has said it is unaware of any tribunal application being made by Mr Ghaffur but would be disappointed at any such action. |
| Mr Dizaei said that some of the evidence of alleged discrimination Mr Ghaffur had gathered was "unequivocal". | |
| "For a person of his personality and character to embark on this course of action - I think he is at the end of his tether," he said. | "For a person of his personality and character to embark on this course of action - I think he is at the end of his tether," he said. |
| Mr Dizaei denied the row was simply over a missed opportunity for promotion. | Mr Dizaei denied the row was simply over a missed opportunity for promotion. |
| "It was about his conduct, about the way he was dealt with around the Olympic issue, the way he has been dealt with generally," he said. | "It was about his conduct, about the way he was dealt with around the Olympic issue, the way he has been dealt with generally," he said. |
| A spokesman for the Metropolitan Black Police Association said the organisation was "quite shocked" at Mr Ghaffur's complaints and was giving him its full support. | A spokesman for the Metropolitan Black Police Association said the organisation was "quite shocked" at Mr Ghaffur's complaints and was giving him its full support. |
| Speaking on London's LBC radio station, Mayor Boris Johnson said: "My view is that this is a matter for Sir Ian and he has got an issue with his number three and I am sure he will be sorting it out speedily." | Speaking on London's LBC radio station, Mayor Boris Johnson said: "My view is that this is a matter for Sir Ian and he has got an issue with his number three and I am sure he will be sorting it out speedily." |
| Asked if it was unfair for the commissioner to be accused of racism, he replied: "I am sure that is unfair yes, but I do not want to get into the details of the case." | Asked if it was unfair for the commissioner to be accused of racism, he replied: "I am sure that is unfair yes, but I do not want to get into the details of the case." |
| Mr Ghaffur is continuing in his post despite the row. Mr Dizaei said there should be an urgent summit on the matter, involving Mr Ghaffur, a government minister and a representative of the Met Police. |