Police face race promotion claims

Sir Ian is accused of discriminating against Commander Hussain

An officer has accused Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, the chair of Met Police Authority (MPA) and the MPA of racial discrimination.

Commander Shabir Hussain claimed he was passed over for promotion to Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) four times and was not given a bonus in 2006.

A Met Police statement said it believed it acted "fairly and justly and would robustly defend" its position.

An employment tribunal in Stratford, east London, is hearing the case.

Mr Hussain, 45, joined the force in 1983 and is currently responsible for aviation security and roads policing.

He also has national policy responsibility for road death and collision investigation.

Mr Hussain alleged that his four attempts to become DAC failed due to "unfair treatment in terms of race".

White bonus

He added he was denied a bonus in 2006 while "other officers who are white" received it.

He further alleged "no ethnic minority officer" had been appointed to a senior rank.

In response to the claims the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) said: "The MPS believes that it has acted fairly and justly and will robustly defend the position of the MPS and resist Mr Hussain's claims."

The MPA said: "The MPA will show that the only reason Commander Hussain has not been promoted is that he has never demonstrated that he has the capabilities and qualities to operate effectively at this senior rank, to the satisfaction of different MPA appointment panels.

"The MPA will show that the bonus was not paid because he did not meet the criteria established by the authority in that particular year, but he did receive a bonus in the following year."

The hearing continues.