Ghaffur: My boss Blair is my enemy...
One of Scotland Yard's most senior officers today used a televised press conference to declare war on Commissioner Sir Ian Blair.
Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur made an unprecedented personal attack on his boss as he gave for the first time the details of his industrial tribunal race and religious discrimination claim.
The Met's most senior Muslim officer singled out Sir Ian, saying his claim was not aimed at the force - which he said he "loved and admired" - but was simply about his treatment by the Commissioner.
Flanked by his lawyer and Alfred John, chairman of the Black Police Association, Mr Ghaffur claimed he was not motivated by money or bitterness over not being promoted.
He said: "My case is essentially to do with my treatment at the highest levels of the Met, in particular the discrimination that I have been subjected to over a long period by the Commissioner Sir Ian Blair.
"It is to do with the continuation of that treatment into the very important job assigned to me ensuring the security and safety of the 2012 Olympics.
"It is also to do with the victimisation which I have suffered and my grievances linked to the media."
He said he found himself in "unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory" by launching the claim.
"My situation has nothing to do with displeasure at not being promoted. I'm content with my achievements so far," he said.
"I'm not seeking massive monetary benefits and I do not have grievances against the whole of the Met, an organisation I dearly love and admire."
He said he brought the claim with "deep regret" and had sought mediation with the Met.
It is the first time an officer of such seniority is suing his own force.
Friends of Mr Ghaffur say critics have accused him of bringing the claim in order to "line his pockets" ahead of his retirement.
But Mr Ghaffur, who emigrated to Britain as a refugee from Uganda in the Seventies, said: "I love this country. My family and I owe a debt of gratitude to the UK for receiving us and allowing us to make this our home... For the last 33 years I have been honoured to serve as a police officer in a number of police forces and the Met."
Mr Ghaffur filed his claim with the Central London Employment Tribunal last Friday.
He is also suing on the grounds of age discrimination, claiming that the Metropolitan Police Service invoked a special rule preventing him from extending his contract beyond a year due to him serving over 30 years in the force. The MPS has a month to respond.
The claim has brought further pressure on Sir Ian who is also awaiting the result of another race discrimination tribunal where he has also been accused of favouring a "golden circle" of white officers over an Asian officer.
This afternoon Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson was set to give a "robust" response to Mr Ghaffur's remarks.
Scotland Yard said they would fiercely contest the Assistant Commissioner's claims while insiders said it was becoming increasingly difficult for senior officers to work alongside Mr Ghaffur while he spoke out publicly against his boss.
