RACISM CLAIMS 'BACKED BY EVIDENCE'

Members of the National Black Police Association (NBPA) said Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur had been treated "extremely poorly". They called on Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to intervene in a rapidly-escalating race row that threatens to plunge Scotland Yard into crisis.

Mr Ghaffur revealed documents supporting his claim of racial discrimination to a meeting of the NBPA executive. The group, led by Metropolitan Police Commander Ali Dizaei, said it is "totally and utterly convinced" the claim is legitimate.

Among the documents are believed to be allegations of victimisation by Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and Police Authority chair Len Duvall. Both Sir Ian and Mr Duvall have denied in strong terms that they have behaved inappropriately in any way.

The meeting between Mr Ghaffur and the NBPA came just hours after he was summoned to face Sir Ian at the force's central London headquarters.

Sir Ian said he expects every officer in his force must "work to my direction" or be dealt with "robustly and quickly". But Mr Ghaffur shrugged off the apparent threat to step back into line as he arrived for the meeting, telling reporters he will continue doing his job.

An NBPA spokesman said: "The National Black Police Association have held a formal meeting with Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur.

"Having reviewed the evidence we are astonished at the amount of material which was presented to us in support of his case.

"Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur appears to have been treated extremely poorly. We are totally and utterly convinced of the legitimacy of this claim and will be fully supporting Mr Ghaffur with regard to this matter, together with the 43 local BPAs around the country.

"We are calling for an immediate intervention at a senior governmental level to prevent this dispute escalating."