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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Asian officer relieved of duties | Asian officer relieved of duties |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The UK's most senior Asian police officer has been "relieved of his command", the National Black Police Association (NBPA) has said. | The UK's most senior Asian police officer has been "relieved of his command", the National Black Police Association (NBPA) has said. |
| The decision came after Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur lodged a £1.2m racial discrimination claim against the Metropolitan Police (Met). | The decision came after Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur lodged a £1.2m racial discrimination claim against the Metropolitan Police (Met). |
| Commissioner Sir Ian Blair made the decision after meeting with Mr Ghaffur and his lawyer at Scotland Yard. | Commissioner Sir Ian Blair made the decision after meeting with Mr Ghaffur and his lawyer at Scotland Yard. |
| The Met has said Mr Ghaffur has been put on "authorised leave of absence". | |
| The chairman of NBPA, Alfred John, said it was "disappointed" with the "unprecedented decision". | |
| Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur lodged the claim against the Met with an employment tribunal on 22 August. | Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur lodged the claim against the Met with an employment tribunal on 22 August. |
| My decision results from the way in which he has chosen to conduct himself Sir Ian | |
| He claims he was discriminated against on grounds of race, religion and age. | He claims he was discriminated against on grounds of race, religion and age. |
| In a statement Sir Ian Blair said he made the decision after the recent press conference by Mr Ghaffur on his race claim case against the Met. | |
| "It is also clear this is having a negative impact on the London 2012 Olympic Security programme and risks undermining confidence in it," the statement said. | |
| "Certainly, it is the case that the interests of Londoners are not being well served by this current situation. | |
| "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. | |
| "The decision has nothing to do with his actions in filing the ET application or the fact that he has made the allegations which are the subject matter of the ET claim. | |
| "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." | |
| Sir Ian added the Met wants to "find a way to resolve his issues through a mediated process". | |
| 'Necessary move' | |
| Mr Ghaffur is head of security planning for London's 2012 Olympics. | Mr Ghaffur is head of security planning for London's 2012 Olympics. |
| During the period of Mr Ghaffur's absence Dept Asst Comm Chris Allison will take over the command of Central Operations, including the contribution to Olympic security, Sir Ian said. | |
| Mr John, from NBPA, said: "We are disappointed by the move of the Commissioner to do that. | |
| "His message to his employees and the people of London is very clear - you can come and work for us but don't make any complaints if you are black, Asian or Muslim because the organisation will get you." | |
| Mr John said the Met's move was a "completely unprecedented decision" and he described it as "stealth suspension". | |
| The Mayor of London Boris Johnson backed Sir Ian's decision saying it is in the best interests of policing in London. | The Mayor of London Boris Johnson backed Sir Ian's decision saying it is in the best interests of policing in London. |
| He said: "This is a necessary move in order to restore confidence that the operational efficiency of the Met Police is not compromised." | |