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Met in crisis as chief faces lawsuit from deputy

23/08/2008

Metropolitan police assistant commissioner Tarique Ghaffur has begun legal proceedings against commissioner Sir Ian Blair.

Documents submitted by the police chief's second in command to an employment tribunal claim that Sir Ian had been involved in a campaign of harassment and discrimination against him.

Previously, Mr Ghaffur, a Muslim of Asian origin, has said he had prepared a dossier full of evidence about mistreatment at the hands of senior officers for allegedly racial reasons.

A source close to Mr Ghaffur told media: "Ghaffur is very unhappy because the Met is briefing against him.

"Details of the claim will not be available to anyone until next week."

Scotland Yard commissioner Sir Ian Blair has rejected the allegations stating that he has a "long, honourable and occasionally blood-stained record on the championing of diversity".

Mr Ghaffur leads the team responsible for ensuring security at the 2012 Olympic games in London. He has previously criticised anti-terrorism laws as being unfair towards Muslims.

In the past, Sir Ian has faced criticism over the killing of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, who was incorrectly suspected of being a terrorist, at Stockwell tube station three years ago.