London, June 24 (ANI): Sir Ian Blair, Britain’s most senior policeman, has been accused of overlooking black and Asian detectives for promotion in favour of his “favourite sons and daughters”.
Commander Shabir Hussain told an employment tribunal that the Metropolitan Police Commissioner surrounded himself with a “golden circle” of preferred candidates.
Hussain claimed that he was excluded because his face did not fit - and did not fit because he was not white, The Telegraph reported.
The Pakistan-born commander told a tribunal that Sir Ian had “favourite sons and daughters” he backed for senior jobs.
Hussain said he was the only officer of his rank to have had four applications to become a deputy assistant commissioner rejected.
White commanders had succeeded after two attempts at the most.
He told the hearing in Stratford, East London: “There is a golden circle of preferred candidates earmarked for promotion.
“There is a glass ceiling which makes it very difficult for non-whites to reach the highest ranks,” he said.
Of a group of officers who achieved the highest police grading in 2001, Hussain was the only one to remain at his present rank - the others were all white.
The commissioner at the time, Lord Stevens, had indicated there was a backlash to his promotion, he said.
The commander was not given a bonus that was paid to six out of 16 eligible officers.
He said: “All who received the payment are white.”
Hussain is suing the Metropolitan Police, its chairman Len Duvall and Sir Ian for racial discrimination and loss of pay. (ANI)