A senior Scotland Yard officer has filed a claim of racial discrimination against the Metropolitan Police.
Commander Ali Dizaei, the president of the National Black Police Association, accuses former commissioner Sir Ian Blair and the Met's chief executive Catherine Crawford of colluding to suspend him from duty. He was suspended in September after being accused of misconduct.
Chairman of the Metropolitan Black Police Association Alfred John confirmed the claim that papers had been served at the Employment Tribunal Office at Victory House, Kingsway, central London.
Mr Dizaei was previously suspended in 2001 after allegations of corruption and drug use were made.
He was cleared of the charges in 2003 and reinstated and awarded £60,000 compensation.
He claims one of the reasons he was suspended was to prevent him representing his colleague Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, who last month agreed an out-of-court settlement in his race claim against Scotland Yard.
Speaking from Scotland Yard on Wednesday morning, Mr John said: "From the BPA's perspective, the claim's about a disparity between what's taken place in the run up to Commander Dizaei's suspension and how other ACPO, high ranking officers, who have gone through similar issues, have been dealt with.
"Why haven't those white, similar officers been suspended as well?
"I'm not saying they are guilty, but the process is inconsistent."
He added: "It really is quite indicative of how black staff within the organisation are dealt with in disciplinary issues."
