Victimised policeman wins payout

Det Sgt Virdi was wrongly accused of sending race hate mail to colleagues

The Metropolitan Police force has been ordered to pay £70,000 compensation for victimising a Sikh policeman.

An Employment Tribunal ruled in October Det Sgt Gurpal Virdi was victimised when he was turned down for promotion to detective inspector in 2005.

It found his application was treated "less favourably" as he had taken previous legal action against the Met.

The tribunal awarded him £8,779 for injury to feelings, and £61,620 for loss of earnings and pensions.

The Met has appealed against the tribunal's ruling.

In August 2000, an employment tribunal ordered the Met to pay Mr Virdi £240,000 compensation after it ruled the force had racially discriminated against him.

He had been sacked after he was wrongly accused of sending racist hate mail to black and Asian officers at Hanwell police station.