THE TELEGRAPH: Britain's most senior police chief has been accused of being a racist in an unprecedented personal attack by the country's highest-ranking Asian officer.
Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur went public with a highly damaging legal action against Sir Ian Blair, accusing the Metropolitan Police Commissioner of repeated acts of racial, religious and age discrimination.
The dispute is the latest to undermine Sir Ian's leadership of Britain's largest force.
With Scotland Yard responsible for protecting the country from terrorism, policing the capital and protecting the Government and Royal Family, senior officers fear the dispute will leave the force in a state of near paralysis.
Mr Ghaffur's attack, in a televised press conference, resulted in Sir Ian's deputy, Sir Paul Stephenson, issuing a sharp rebuke and left the impression of a force blighted by in-fighting.
Sir Paul told Mr Ghaffur to "shut up" and get on with what he was paid to do. But the commissioner's position appeared fragile as senior sources admitted Scotland Yard had suffered a "deeply embarrassing, damaging and sad day".
Mr Ghaffur's solicitor, Shahrokh Mireskandari, said Sir Ian's future would hinge on the outcome of the case.
He is particularly vulnerable, with the forthcoming inquest into the fatal shooting of the innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes likely to hear stringent criticism of his management of the force.
Should Mr Ghaffur's legal action succeed, it will further intensify the calls for Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, to force Sir Ian out of his job.
David Davis, the former shadow home secretary, has called for the Commissioner to go in the interests of national security and to restore public trust in policing.
The action by Mr Ghaffur, the Met's joint third highest ranking officer, is the first time an officer of such seniority has sued his chief. It plunges the force into its worst racism row since the 1998 Macpherson report branded the force "institutionally racist". Turmoil at Scotland Yard as Tarique Ghaffur Accuses Sir Ian Blair of Racism >>> By Richard Edwards, Crime Correspondent | August 28, 2008
TIMESONLINE:
Tariq Ghaffur Goes Public with Racism Claims, Laying Bare Civil War at Met Police >>> By Sean O’Neill, Crime Editor | August 28, 2008
THE INDEPENDENT:
Ghaffur blames Met Chief for police discrimination >>> PA | August 28, 2008
MAIL Online:
Spitting in the Face of the Country that Saved Him >>> By Amanda Platell | August 30, 2008
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Dust Jacket Hardcover, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback, direct from the publishers (UK) >>>
