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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Civil war within the Met police | Civil war within the Met police |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| By Barnie Choudhury BBC News | By Barnie Choudhury BBC News |
| There have been internal conflicts with the Metropolitan Police | There have been internal conflicts with the Metropolitan Police |
| Senior members of the Met Black Police Association are taking counter surveillance measures because of fears of being spied on by fellow officers, the BBC has learned. | Senior members of the Met Black Police Association are taking counter surveillance measures because of fears of being spied on by fellow officers, the BBC has learned. |
| This latest twist in the row between the Metropolitan Police and some ethnic minority officers sounds like something from the pages of a spy novel. | This latest twist in the row between the Metropolitan Police and some ethnic minority officers sounds like something from the pages of a spy novel. |
| The difference is: it happens to be real. | The difference is: it happens to be real. |
| Officers in the same police organisation are meeting at undisclosed times and at secret locations to avoid surveillance. They are buying pay-as-you go phones to prevent conversations being tapped, and they are having their offices swept daily for electronic bugs. | Officers in the same police organisation are meeting at undisclosed times and at secret locations to avoid surveillance. They are buying pay-as-you go phones to prevent conversations being tapped, and they are having their offices swept daily for electronic bugs. |
| All this is according to three separate sources at the Met Black Police Association. | All this is according to three separate sources at the Met Black Police Association. |
| So are they being paranoid? No, they say. | So are they being paranoid? No, they say. |
| Instead, they point to the two-year investigation into Commander Ali Dizaei. It was codenamed Operation Helios. Dr Dizaei has been the victim of what we believe to be the culmination of a sustained witch-hunt Alfred JohnMet BPA chairman | |
| During the inquiry the Met unlawfully tapped more than 3,000 of his phone calls. | During the inquiry the Met unlawfully tapped more than 3,000 of his phone calls. |
| They also put him under hundreds of hours of surveillance. | They also put him under hundreds of hours of surveillance. |
| It cost the tax payer between £4m and £7m. In 2003 Dr Dizaei was eventually cleared and brought back to the Met. | It cost the tax payer between £4m and £7m. In 2003 Dr Dizaei was eventually cleared and brought back to the Met. |
| Police tactics | Police tactics |
| Those to whom I have spoken describe what is going on in the Met as "Operation Helios 2". But this time, say sources, they are ready. | Those to whom I have spoken describe what is going on in the Met as "Operation Helios 2". But this time, say sources, they are ready. |
| "There is a constant battle", said one officer who did not wish to be named "and it's the systematic failure within the organisation. | "There is a constant battle", said one officer who did not wish to be named "and it's the systematic failure within the organisation. |
| "It's an attempt to crush any challenge, any dissent, by black and Asian officers." | "It's an attempt to crush any challenge, any dissent, by black and Asian officers." |
| Some members of the Met BPA are going further. | Some members of the Met BPA are going further. |
| Whenever there is a critical incident, such as a hostage situation, the police set up a command structure - the so-called Gold, Silver and Bronze command. | Whenever there is a critical incident, such as a hostage situation, the police set up a command structure - the so-called Gold, Silver and Bronze command. |
| Another source said a similar system had been set up by BPA members "so we can react to any on going situation. | Another source said a similar system had been set up by BPA members "so we can react to any on going situation. |
| "That means we were ready for Ali to be suspended and we reacted accordingly." | "That means we were ready for Ali to be suspended and we reacted accordingly." |
| In other words, they are using their police training to take on their own organisation. | In other words, they are using their police training to take on their own organisation. |
| 'Witch-hunt' | 'Witch-hunt' |
| So what did the BPA do when Superintendent Dizaei was suspended? They severed links with senior managers and refused to take part in all meetings. | So what did the BPA do when Superintendent Dizaei was suspended? They severed links with senior managers and refused to take part in all meetings. |
| Using their media contacts they got out their key message - they had no confidence in the leadership at Scotland Yard. Unnecessary comment is not helpful and we have taken the view that less said in public is better Metropolitan Police | Using their media contacts they got out their key message - they had no confidence in the leadership at Scotland Yard. Unnecessary comment is not helpful and we have taken the view that less said in public is better Metropolitan Police |
| Earlier this week ,the Met BPA chairman, Alfred John, said he and other members would only attend meetings concerning the reinstatement of Dr Dizaei. | Earlier this week ,the Met BPA chairman, Alfred John, said he and other members would only attend meetings concerning the reinstatement of Dr Dizaei. |
| He said: "Dr Dizaei has been the victim of what we believe to be the culmination of a sustained witch-hunt. | He said: "Dr Dizaei has been the victim of what we believe to be the culmination of a sustained witch-hunt. |
| "Dr Dizaei had not received a single complaint for over four years and yet, within the last three weeks, three complaints have materialised." | "Dr Dizaei had not received a single complaint for over four years and yet, within the last three weeks, three complaints have materialised." |
| The Met responded by issuing this statement: "We have seen a number of comments over recent weeks from Mr John and we do not recognise his description of what is happening in the Metropolitan Police Service and Metropolitan Police Authority. | The Met responded by issuing this statement: "We have seen a number of comments over recent weeks from Mr John and we do not recognise his description of what is happening in the Metropolitan Police Service and Metropolitan Police Authority. |
| "We are committed to trying to resolve matters with the BPA, if possible. Unnecessary comment is not helpful and we have taken the view that less said in public is better." | "We are committed to trying to resolve matters with the BPA, if possible. Unnecessary comment is not helpful and we have taken the view that less said in public is better." |
| Tribunal | Tribunal |
| And this message was repeated on Sunday. This latest news will put the focus back on the Met leadership. | And this message was repeated on Sunday. This latest news will put the focus back on the Met leadership. |
| Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur - one of the officers who is third in command - is alleging racial and religious discrimination by his boss, Sir Ian Blair. | Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur - one of the officers who is third in command - is alleging racial and religious discrimination by his boss, Sir Ian Blair. |
| Mr Ghaffur is now on gardening leave and further revelations could end up being aired publicly at an employment tribunal. | Mr Ghaffur is now on gardening leave and further revelations could end up being aired publicly at an employment tribunal. |
| Many Londoners will be reading the almost daily reports with more than raised eyebrows. They will also be wondering just when the apparent civil war inside the Met will end. | Many Londoners will be reading the almost daily reports with more than raised eyebrows. They will also be wondering just when the apparent civil war inside the Met will end. |