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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Inquiry into Met racism concerns | Inquiry into Met racism concerns |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| London Mayor Boris Johnson is to order an inquiry into concerns raised about alleged racism faced by ethnic minority officers in the Metropolitan Police. | London Mayor Boris Johnson is to order an inquiry into concerns raised about alleged racism faced by ethnic minority officers in the Metropolitan Police. |
| The move comes after the Metropolitan Black Police Association said it would discourage black and Asian potential recruits from applying to the force. | The move comes after the Metropolitan Black Police Association said it would discourage black and Asian potential recruits from applying to the force. |
| It said it would "be failing in its duty" not to tell them of the "hostile and racist situation there". | It said it would "be failing in its duty" not to tell them of the "hostile and racist situation there". |
| The Met's deputy commissioner said he wanted to work with the Met BPA. | The Met's deputy commissioner said he wanted to work with the Met BPA. |
| 'Held back' | 'Held back' |
| Mr Johnson, who will attend his first meeting as chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority later, is to order the inquiry into concerns raised by black and Asian staff in an effort to end the problems within the force. | Mr Johnson, who will attend his first meeting as chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority later, is to order the inquiry into concerns raised by black and Asian staff in an effort to end the problems within the force. |
| In a statement, the Met BPA said it would "actively discourage" potential applicants from applying to join the Metropolitan Police and boycott any recruitment drives targeting black and ethnic minorities. I very much regret the Met BPA's decision and we must find a way to work through this together Sir Paul Stephenson, Met Deputy Commissioner class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7651605.stm">Black police chief speaks out | |
| "The Metropolitan Police, under the current management and supervision of the Metropolitan Police Authority, have made the working environment for its existing black staff a hostile atmosphere where racism is allowed to spread and those who challenge it are either suspended, told to shut up or subtly held back in relation to career development. | "The Metropolitan Police, under the current management and supervision of the Metropolitan Police Authority, have made the working environment for its existing black staff a hostile atmosphere where racism is allowed to spread and those who challenge it are either suspended, told to shut up or subtly held back in relation to career development. |
| "We would be failing our duty as an association if we did not share our current experiences with those who want to join the MPS. | "We would be failing our duty as an association if we did not share our current experiences with those who want to join the MPS. |
| "The boycott and our active discouragement will continue during Black History Month and beyond, until the Metropolitan Police leadership and the Metropolitan Police Authority convince us that they care about race and equality for its workforce and the people of London. | "The boycott and our active discouragement will continue during Black History Month and beyond, until the Metropolitan Police leadership and the Metropolitan Police Authority convince us that they care about race and equality for its workforce and the people of London. |
| "We will not put up or shut up to racism and inequality." | "We will not put up or shut up to racism and inequality." |
| The Met BPA says the current suspension of Commander Ali Dizaei and Britain's most senior Muslim officer, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, are proof that ethnic minority officers are treated less favourably than white staff. | The Met BPA says the current suspension of Commander Ali Dizaei and Britain's most senior Muslim officer, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, are proof that ethnic minority officers are treated less favourably than white staff. |
| Mr Dizaei was suspended after being accused of misconduct, while Mr Ghaffur was "temporarily relieved of his responsibilities" by Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. | Mr Dizaei was suspended after being accused of misconduct, while Mr Ghaffur was "temporarily relieved of his responsibilities" by Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. |
| This was because of the way he had "chosen to conduct himself" in the media following his £1.2m racial discrimination claim filed against the Met. | This was because of the way he had "chosen to conduct himself" in the media following his £1.2m racial discrimination claim filed against the Met. |
| 'Provide reassurance' | 'Provide reassurance' |
| The Met's Deputy Commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson, said much had been achieved by his force in tackling racism, but more needed to be done. | The Met's Deputy Commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson, said much had been achieved by his force in tackling racism, but more needed to be done. |
| "I very much regret the Met BPA's decision and we must find a way to work through this together," he said in a statement. | "I very much regret the Met BPA's decision and we must find a way to work through this together," he said in a statement. |
| "Much has been achieved since the Macpherson report was published but I am not complacent and recognise more must be done, not only by us but also with the Met BPA's full support and engagement. | "Much has been achieved since the Macpherson report was published but I am not complacent and recognise more must be done, not only by us but also with the Met BPA's full support and engagement. |
| "The MPS now has three times as many black and minority ethnic officers as 10 years ago and approximately 20% of new recruits in to MPS police training come from a BME [black or ethnic minority] background. | "The MPS now has three times as many black and minority ethnic officers as 10 years ago and approximately 20% of new recruits in to MPS police training come from a BME [black or ethnic minority] background. |
| "I welcome the MPA's intention to hold their inquiry because I believe it will assist in making progress and provide the reassurance the Met BPA are looking for." | "I welcome the MPA's intention to hold their inquiry because I believe it will assist in making progress and provide the reassurance the Met BPA are looking for." |
| Meanwhile, Kent Chief Constable Mike Fuller, who is Britain's most senior black police officer, has told the BBC that most ethnic minority police have to work harder than their white colleagues to succeed. | Meanwhile, Kent Chief Constable Mike Fuller, who is Britain's most senior black police officer, has told the BBC that most ethnic minority police have to work harder than their white colleagues to succeed. |
| In an interview for the BBC's Panorama, Chief Constable Fuller said he himself had fallen prey to racism, with people having tried to block past promotions. | In an interview for the BBC's Panorama, Chief Constable Fuller said he himself had fallen prey to racism, with people having tried to block past promotions. |