Lantern Project

[Graham Wilmer]

British Muslim police chief suspended in racism row

Source: AFP - Tuesday, September 9 06:36 pm

LONDON (AFP) - Britain's top Muslim policeman was suspended Tuesday from his job after accusing the head of London's Metropolitan Police of racial discrimination, sparking claims of "victimisation".

Tarique Ghaffur, an assistant commissioner, has been "temporarily relieved" due to concern that his public comments on the case were affecting the "operational effectiveness" of the force, said Met chief Ian Blair.

Ghaffur condemned the move, saying the Met's reaction had "all the hallmarks of wilful acts of victimisation", and said he was discussing with his lawyers the possibility of further legal proceedings.

The decision follows months of reports that Ghaffur planned to take legal action, which erupted into a full-scale war of words last month when he confirmed the move.

The issue of Muslim policing is sensitive in Britain, which has sought to win the trust of the country's large Muslim communities in the fight against Islamist extremism.

Blair -- who has also come under pressure over the shooting by police of an innocent Brazilian in the wake of July 2005 suicide bombings in London -- said he would not let the Ghaffur situation fester.

"The interests of Londoners are not being well served by this current situation," the Met chief said in a statement issued by Scotland Yard.

"Accordingly, I have decided that, for the time being, AC Tarique Ghaffur be temporarily relieved of his responsibilities although he will remain an assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan Police Service."

After months of claims and counter-claims in the press, Ghaffur confirmed late last month that he was taking Blair to an employment tribunal, while denying the move was linked to unhappiness at not being promoted.

At the time he said his complaint was "essentially to do with my treatment at the highest levels of the Met, in particular the discrimination I have been subjected to over a long period by the present commissioner, Sir Ian Blair."

He added it also covered treatment he had faced in his role as security coordinator for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Metropolitan Black Police Association accused Blair of victimising the assistant commissioner.

"The message that this (suspension) sends to black and minority ethnic officers and staff is clear: 'Exercise your right to challenge unfairness and discrimination at your own peril. You will not be listened to and you and your supporters are likely to be victimised'," said a spokesman.

But London Mayor Boris Johnson said the decision was a "necessary move in order to restore confidence that the operational efficiency of the Met Police is not compromised".

Fresh criticism was sparked by news that the committee overseeing the behaviour of senior Met officers had met Monday to consider the allegations against Ghaffur but found insufficient grounds for suspension.

Dee Doocey, an opposition member of the London Assembly, said she was "stunned" that Blair had decided to suspend Ghaffur regardless.

The Met chief insisted he was not responding to the legal action.

"Rather, my decision results from the way in which he has chosen to conduct himself, for example by the manner in which statements were made in his press conference, and in conducting a media campaign, both personally and through the advisors and organisations supporting him," Blair said.

"It is a matter of regret that I have had to take this action but I want to make it clear that we still want to find a way to resolve his issues through a mediated process."
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The truth will set you free

[zoompad]

So racism is ok then? But complaining about it will get you the sack!

Oh, well that's ok then. Isn't it?


Seems to me that complaining about injustice is a worse crime than pedophilia. It sure earns you less sympathy - look how much sympathy Roger Took got if you doubt that - a lot more than I've had, all I've had is more kicking and bad knocks!

Guess it must be my own fault for being a stupid victim.

Guess I should just keep my trap shut and stop moaning.

Crying isn't allowed either.

Sick of this ruddy planet.

[zoompad]

I finally got them (nearly 40 years later)

Very upsetting. I was well trussed up and bound for the slaughter.

I know I am lucky to have them though. There aren't too many blottings out, less than a lot of people. And the illegal falsifications that have been made to them are pretty clumsy and easy to spot.

It's still so upsetting, but a blesing to have so many things confirmed in black and white. At least I can plonk them down in front of people who accuse me of making it all all and yell "THERE'S THE PROOF I WAS ABUSED AT THAT HELL HOLE!"

I am so angry and upset today, so angry and so upset. Today, I feel abandoned.

It said in my notes that my parents had said that they didn't want me. I guessed that at the time, but reading it has caused my heart to break.

Maybe God feels the same. Sometimes I feel that he doesn't care about me at all.

Why has all this happened? I can't see any reason for it at all, and I feel so lost and alone.

Why did I get abused, and then reabused and reabused and reabused ect ect ect ect ect ect? Will the abuse never stop?

[zoompad]

I just feel so sad and depressed

[JulieW]

I know that my abuse was different to yours, but the pain it causes feels much the same. I've been feeling ok lately, really ok, but I'll never forget the times when I've felt the way you do, so sad depressed, the times I've thught (and still think) why me? Why have I had so much shit thrown at me all my life? My biological family didn't want me, my adoptive family wanted a little doll to play with (and to sesxually abuse) and I've had various health problems like epilepsy and other things to put up with. I don't know why. Wish I did. They say things happen for a reason but what could the reason be for us being abused? I really don't know. The only way I look at it is now is that I'm alive, I'm the right side of the ground. I'm damaged, far from perfect, but nothing in the future can ever hurt me more than I've already been hurt. So although things don't always get better, sometimes they can't get worse. Then, the only way is up and forward. Easy for me to say, I know. Not so easy to do when you feel rotten.