Police force is accused of racism

A Pakistani man has told an employment tribunal he was racially discriminated against by Avon and Somerset Police after applying to the force for a job.

Shujaat Husain, 49, of London, was shortlisted for a job as a criminal intelligence analyst.

But the tribunal heard he was withdrawn and arrested on suspicion of deception through doubts over his qualifications.

Avon and Somerset Police deny racially discriminating against Mr Husain, the continuing Bristol tribunal has heard.

It is only because I am Pakistani, because I am coloured and because I am a Muslim Shujaat Husain

Mr Husain told the hearing he was branded an "international conman".

He had earlier applied for two posts with Kent Constabulary, but had been unsuccessful.

The tribunal was told that Mr Husain, from Upper Norwood, London, performed so poorly in interviews in Kent that doubts were cast on his qualifications.

That information was passed on to Detective Chief Inspector Geoffrey Anderson at Avon and Somerset Police, who removed Mr Husain's name from the shortlist and ordered an investigation, the tribunal heard.

Application 'discrepancies'

Mr Husain said: "He should have positive confirmation before he takes that information on board. He didn't.

"It is gross incompetence and discrimination. It is only because I am Pakistani, because I am coloured and because I am a Muslim."

The force's counsel, Anya Palmer, said there had been discrepancies between Mr Husain's applications for the jobs in Kent and Avon and Somerset.