London, Oct. 27 (ANI): A black detective, who was racially assaulted by two of the former Stephen Lawrence murder suspects, launched a race claim against the Metropolitan Police yesterday, claiming his superior treated him as “something repugnant on the soles of her feet”. The Telegraph quoted Detective Sergeant Gareth Reid, 45, as saying he was constantly humiliated and undervalued by his manager after she found out he used to be a member of the Black Police Association (BPA) and had made a previous race discrimination claim against the force.

The officer said Detective Inspector Allison Funnell looked for excuses to demote him and falsely accused him of being rude to staff. “Although these incidents were all in the past, DI Funnell started to avoid me and used her position to diminish my worth as an experienced black officer,” Reid told an employment tribunal in West Croydon.

“At every stage DI Funnell undermined and discriminated against me because I was a highly competent, ambitious black officer. I continued to serve her loyally and was devoted to my job but she set about to destroy me,” he added.

The officer, who was demoted to Detective Constable in February 2008 before being reinstated on the course in November of that year, told the panel she treated him with “unrivalled contempt” and “sheer vindictiveness”.

Sitting only a few feet from his former superior, he added: “DI Funnell never missed an opportunity to try and belittle me. She seemed to take great exception to the fact I had a good working relationship with my colleagues.”

Reid is claiming race discrimination and victimisation against the Met Police, arguing that his performance came under undue scrutiny and that he was treated differently to his white colleagues.

The tribunal heard how Mr Reid joined the Met in 1993 and moved from Newham to Lewisham police station in south east London in April 2007.

He passed the promotion exams to become a Detective Sergeant and was taking part in a training course, called TOWBAR, which he had to complete before his new rank was confirmed.

His lawyer Crawford said: “Mr. Reid was summarily removed for the course and demoted to Detective Constable.” (ANI)