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Top Asian officer settles claim Top Asian officer settles claim
(30 minutes later)
Britain's most senior Asian police officer has settled a planned legal action against the Metropolitan Police, Scotland Yard has confirmed.Britain's most senior Asian police officer has settled a planned legal action against the Metropolitan Police, Scotland Yard has confirmed.
Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur had reportedly complained of being undermined by Scotland Yard colleagues.Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur had reportedly complained of being undermined by Scotland Yard colleagues.
He has withdrawn claims that Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair acted in a racist or other discriminatory way towards him.He has withdrawn claims that Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair acted in a racist or other discriminatory way towards him.
The Met was not prepared to say how much had been paid to Mr Ghaffur.The Met was not prepared to say how much had been paid to Mr Ghaffur.
His supporters said he had faced humiliation within the force and had been extremely badly treated. He will retire from the force on 27 November The senior officer has signed a gagging clause and will step down from his role at the Metropolitan Police on Thursday.
'Recognise the hurt''Recognise the hurt'
A statement confirming the settlement was issued on Tuesday on behalf of Mr Ghaffur, Sir Ian Blair, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Bryan, the Met Police and the Met Police Authority (MPA).A statement confirming the settlement was issued on Tuesday on behalf of Mr Ghaffur, Sir Ian Blair, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Bryan, the Met Police and the Met Police Authority (MPA).
It read: "The MPA has paid a sum of money in settlement of AC Ghaffur's claims including contractual obligations and a contribution to his legal costs. It read: "The MPA has paid a sum of money in settlement of Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur's claims including contractual obligations and a contribution to his legal costs.
"AC Ghaffur has withdrawn the proceedings and his claims that Sir Ian Blair and DAC Bryan acted in a racist or other discriminatory way towards him. "Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur has withdrawn the proceedings and his claims that Sir Ian Blair and Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bryan acted in a racist or other discriminatory way towards him.
"The MPA and the commissioner wish to acknowledge the important service of AC Ghaffur in the Met and his significant contribution to operational policing nationally during his 34-year career. "The MPA and the commissioner wish to acknowledge the important service of Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur in the Met and his significant contribution to operational policing nationally during his 34-year career.
"They recognise the hurt he has felt over the past 18 months.""They recognise the hurt he has felt over the past 18 months."
His allegations had included being silenced over concerns against the 42-day detention of terror suspects and being sidelined by Sir Ian in key decisions. 'Love and admire'
Born in Uganda in east Africa, his family were forced to flee their native land when dictator Idi Amin expelled most of the country's minority Asian population in 1972. Mr Ghaffur was effectively suspended in September after publicly announcing he was suing his employer for racial discrimination.
Two years later, he began his police career as a Pc with Greater Manchester Police in Salford. In a press conference he claimed he was sidelined, discriminated against and humiliated in his role as boss of security planning for the 2012 Olympics.
At the time Mr Ghaffur was one of only two officers from an ethnic minority in a force of more than 6,000. He said: "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 has recalled that on his first day the desk sergeant refused to believe he was a police officer and initially would not let him enter the station. The allegations sparked the race row within the Met leading to a boycott of ethnic minority recruitment by the Metropolitan Black Police Association.
In the following weeks, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced an assessment of how ethnic minority officers are treated in police forces throughout England and Wales.
London Mayor Boris Johnson also launched an inquiry into alleged racism within the Metropolitan Police.
Mr Ghaffur began his career as a Pc with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in Salford in 1974, two years after his family had been forced to flee his birthplace of Uganda by the dictator Idi Amin.