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Met Police officer wins race and sex discrimination case Met Police officer wins race and sex discrimination case
(about 1 hour later)
The Met Police discriminated against a black, female officer because of her race and sex, an employment tribunal has concluded.The Met Police discriminated against a black, female officer because of her race and sex, an employment tribunal has concluded.
Firearms officer Carol Howard, from Purley, in Surrey, was "singled out and targeted" for almost a year, a panel found. Firearms officer Carol Howard, 35, from Purley, in Surrey, was "singled out and targeted" for almost a year, a panel found.
Ms Howard brought a claim of discrimination at the Central London Employment Tribunal earlier this year.Ms Howard brought a claim of discrimination at the Central London Employment Tribunal earlier this year.
The Met said it was "disappointed" at the tribunal's findings.The Met said it was "disappointed" at the tribunal's findings.
'Victimisation complaints''Victimisation complaints'
A judgment issued by the panel which heard the case, said the Met "directly discriminated" against Ms Howard "on the grounds of sex and race" between 31 January and 29 October 2012.A judgment issued by the panel which heard the case, said the Met "directly discriminated" against Ms Howard "on the grounds of sex and race" between 31 January and 29 October 2012.
A number of Ms Howard's complaints of "victimisation" were "well-founded", the tribunal added.A number of Ms Howard's complaints of "victimisation" were "well-founded", the tribunal added.
The 35-year-old worked in the Diplomatic Protection Group in the force. The 35-year-old worked in the Diplomatic Protection Group (DGP), which provides protection for foreign embassies and missions in London.
Her superior, acting Insp Dave Kelly, subjected her to "a course of conduct which was detrimental to her", the panel said.Her superior, acting Insp Dave Kelly, subjected her to "a course of conduct which was detrimental to her", the panel said.
Within weeks of becoming her line manager Mr Kelly "formed the view...that the claimant was dishonest and not up to the standard required for DPG", but the panel said he had not provided a "credible basis for forming such a view".
Her commitment was challenged in front of colleagues, her "every absence" was assumed not to be genuine and her application for an armed response vehicle role was not supported, the panel found.
The panel also criticised the way the force dealt with Ms Howard's complaints after it concluded there was no evidence of discrimination, without conducting a proper investigation.
'Discriminatory treatment''Discriminatory treatment'
Lawyers for Ms Howard will now seek compensation from the Met Police for injury to feelings and aggravated damages.Lawyers for Ms Howard will now seek compensation from the Met Police for injury to feelings and aggravated damages.
Her lawyer Kiran Daurka, from Slater & Gordon, said the police had failed to address discrimination "which pervades the system" and called for an overhaul of the force's equality procedures. Her lawyer Kiran Daurka, from Slater & Gordon, called for an overhaul of the force's equality procedures.
"The conduct of the Metropolitan Police and some of its senior officers towards Carol Howard was deplorable over the last two years," she said."The conduct of the Metropolitan Police and some of its senior officers towards Carol Howard was deplorable over the last two years," she said.
"My client was subjected to discriminatory treatment because she is black and because she is a woman.""My client was subjected to discriminatory treatment because she is black and because she is a woman."
In a statement, the Met Police said: "We are disappointed at the tribunal's finding in favour of PC Howard.In a statement, the Met Police said: "We are disappointed at the tribunal's finding in favour of PC Howard.
"The tribunal's decision will now be given full and careful consideration. We will review the findings, take legal advice and take forward any learning or actions as appropriate." "We will review the findings, take legal advice and take forward any learning or actions as appropriate."