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Met 'still a racist institution' Met 'still a racist institution'
(about 5 hours later)
The chairman of the Metropolitan Black Police Association has said the Met is "without doubt" institutionally racist. The Met remains "without doubt" institutionally racist, claims the Metropolitan Black Police Association.
Sgt Alfred John was speaking after Met Commander Ali Dizaei was jailed for four years for corruption. Chairman Sgt Alfred John was speaking after Met Commander Ali Dizaei was jailed for four years for corruption.
Dizaei had earlier claimed he was the victim of a racist campaign after allegations of false expense claims.Dizaei had earlier claimed he was the victim of a racist campaign after allegations of false expense claims.
The Met said the 'institutional racism' tag, first used in the inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, was not helpful in its efforts to improve. The Met said the "institutional racism" tag, first used in the inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, was not helpful in its efforts to improve.
On Monday Dizaei was found guilty of misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice after he assaulted and falsely arrested a man in a dispute over £600. On Monday, Dizaei was found guilty of misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice after he assaulted and falsely arrested a man in a dispute over £600.
He was a former president of the Metropolitan Black Police Association. He was a former president of the Metropolitan Black Police Association (MBPA).
In the aftermath of the conviction, ex-deputy assistant Met commissioner Brian Paddick said the imprisonment of Dizaei "will do little to improve race relations in the police service".In the aftermath of the conviction, ex-deputy assistant Met commissioner Brian Paddick said the imprisonment of Dizaei "will do little to improve race relations in the police service".
The case has thrown the question of racism at the Met back into the spotlight.The case has thrown the question of racism at the Met back into the spotlight.
Asked on Tuesday if the Met was still institutionally racist, Sgt John told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Without a doubt. There is no two ways about that.Asked on Tuesday if the Met was still institutionally racist, Sgt John told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Without a doubt. There is no two ways about that.
"The evidence is that by the Met's figures, black people are still disproportionately disciplined, they are still disproportionately asked to resign, there is still a lack of progression for black people.""The evidence is that by the Met's figures, black people are still disproportionately disciplined, they are still disproportionately asked to resign, there is still a lack of progression for black people."
In any large organisation there will, regrettably, be a small number of people whose attitudes or behaviours are totally unacceptable and racism will exist Met Police spokesman Disciplinary action
A Met spokesman said: "Since the Stephen Lawrence inquiry in 1999 the Met has made significant progress.A Met spokesman said: "Since the Stephen Lawrence inquiry in 1999 the Met has made significant progress.
"We believe the changes have enabled us to have a better relationship with London's communities, leading to increased confidence and trust in the Met."We believe the changes have enabled us to have a better relationship with London's communities, leading to increased confidence and trust in the Met.
In any large organisation there will, regrettably, be a small number of people whose attitudes or behaviours are totally unacceptable and racism will exist Met Police spokesman
"However, we are not complacent and recognise there is still much more to do. We are committed to build upon the progress and will ensure that we have the right attitudes to serve all communities fairly.""However, we are not complacent and recognise there is still much more to do. We are committed to build upon the progress and will ensure that we have the right attitudes to serve all communities fairly."
He went on: "It is our view that, while the term 'institutionally racist' did help to drive change, it now does little to assist in focusing upon remaining challenges.He went on: "It is our view that, while the term 'institutionally racist' did help to drive change, it now does little to assist in focusing upon remaining challenges.
"In any large organisation there will, regrettably, be a small number of people whose attitudes or behaviours are totally unacceptable and racism will exist.""In any large organisation there will, regrettably, be a small number of people whose attitudes or behaviours are totally unacceptable and racism will exist."
Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death in 1993 in an unprovoked racist attack by a gang of white youths as he waited at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London.Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death in 1993 in an unprovoked racist attack by a gang of white youths as he waited at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London.
The report into police failings in the ensuing investigation accused the police of 'institutional racism' and made 70 recommendations for change.The report into police failings in the ensuing investigation accused the police of 'institutional racism' and made 70 recommendations for change.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has handed over a file on their findings against Dizaei to the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), the force's board of governors, recommending how the officer should be disciplined.
It could be up to a month before the MPA reaches a decision.