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Blair blamed in police race claim Blair blamed in police race claim
(about 1 hour later)
One of Britain's most senior Asian police officers has attacked the head of the Metropolitan Police as he launched his race discrimination claim.One of Britain's most senior Asian police officers has attacked the head of the Metropolitan Police as he launched his race discrimination claim.
Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur told a press conference he had been discriminated against "over a long period of time" by Sir Ian Blair.Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur told a press conference he had been discriminated against "over a long period of time" by Sir Ian Blair.
He also claimed he had been sidelined in his role of leading security for London's 2012 Olympic Games.He also claimed he had been sidelined in his role of leading security for London's 2012 Olympic Games.
The Met has said it will "robustly defend" Mr Ghaffur's claims.The Met has said it will "robustly defend" Mr Ghaffur's claims.
Mr Ghaffur said his employment tribunal claim would include claims of race and religious discrimination.Mr Ghaffur said his employment tribunal claim would include claims of race and religious discrimination.
I think it's long past that time that we all shut up, stop making public statements about private disputes and get on with the job that we are all paid to do Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson
He said: "My current case is essentially to do with my treatment at the highest levels of the Met, in particular the discrimination I have been subject to over a long period of time by the present commissioner Sir Ian Blair.He said: "My current case is essentially to do with my treatment at the highest levels of the Met, in particular the discrimination I have been subject to over a long period of time by the present commissioner Sir Ian Blair.
"I'm not seeking massive monetary benefits and I do not have grievances against the whole of the Met, an organisation that I dearly love and admire.""I'm not seeking massive monetary benefits and I do not have grievances against the whole of the Met, an organisation that I dearly love and admire."
He claimed to have been "victimised" since his grievances were made public.He claimed to have been "victimised" since his grievances were made public.
In response, the Met said it was "disappointed" by the accusations.
"I don't believe it was necessary for Mr Ghaffur to do this," said Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.
"I don't think it's appropriate for this matter to be conducted in such a public way."
He added: "I think it's long past that time that we all shut up, stop making public statements about private disputes and get on with the job that we are all paid to do."