Race row cop's a whinger nut

BRITAIN’S leading Asian cop stunned his Scotland Yard bosses with a massive compo claim for £2million . . . and a nice big plate of biscuits.

Tarique Ghaffur’s team tabled the astonishing cash demand during a tense mediation session over his discrimination claims.

And when it became clear police top brass would never settle for that amount, making a full-scale employment tribunal inevitable, his team cheekily made the extra demand for biscuits.

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A top Scotland Yard insider said: “Tarique’s side began laying out what they would expect from the Met if they were to settle.

“When top brass began adding up his demands they were astonished he was talking about more than £2million. This met with a steely response from the Met’s side, who made it clear they would not make any such payout.

“The meeting seemed to be going nowhere and it was Tarique’s team who then demanded more biscuits.”

Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur, 53, claims he has been the victim of racial, religious and age discrimination in legal papers lodged at an employment tribunal earlier this week.

Battle

Yet despite launching into what is expected to turn into “the bloodiest” battle the Met has seen—he insists he should continue to work alongside the senior colleagues he accuses, including chief Sir Ian Blair.

His team have outlined a list of financial demands including four years’ wages—which works out at around £800,000 when pay rises are included.

He is asking for many thousands of pounds more on top of his lump sum payout of £522,000, which he is due after serving 30 years in the force. On top of that were demands for damages to compensate for both alleged religious and racial discrimination estimated at around £200,000.

This was without taking into consideration his index-linked pension, which would soar above the £85,000 a year he would get if he quit now.

In response, Scotland Yard’s representatives are said to have offered to pay his wages, which work out at £180,000 a year, until his contract runs out in March next year, but would allow him to leave now. He would also keep his lump sum on retirement and his pension.

In an extraordinary rant earlier this week, Mr Ghaffur’s lawyer, Dr Shahrokh Mireskandari, said of the compensation demand: “It is a massive claim that could destroy the Commissioner and his golden circle.” But Mr Ghaffur then told a press conference: “I’m not seeking massive monetary benefits and I do not have grievances against the whole of the Met, an organisation I dearly love and admire.”

For the first time we can reveal the names of those considered to be part of the Commissioner’s “golden circle”.

These include: Anne McMeel, Director of Resources, Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) Janet Williams, DAC Richard Bryan, DAC Cressida Dick, DAC Rose Fitzpatrick and Director of Human Resources Martin Tiplady.

The Commissioner’s close allies have been dubbed the “Thames Valley Mafia” after several had careers in the neighbouring force before moving to the Met.

In an unprecedented outburst earlier this week Mr Ghaffur labelled Sir Ian a racist.

Two hours later the Met’s second in command Sir Paul Stephenson came out fighting and told Mr Ghaffur to “shut up”.

Senior police figures now believe is impossible for the Ugandan-born policeman to continue in his post and insist he should be put on “gardening leave” pending the outcome of his case.

Warned

But officials at the Metropolitan Police Authority— the body that oversees the running of Britain’s biggest force—have been warned that Mr Ghaffur could claim even more money for “victimisation” if he is removed from his job against his will.

According to legal papers submitted by twice-married Mr Ghaffur he claims he has been treated less favourably than other officers because he is Muslim.He alleges his employers refused to extend his contract beyond a year because he is aged over 50.

And he is angry at being sidelined from a key role overseeing security at the 2012 London Olympics.

As an Assistant Commissioner in the Met he jointly holds the third most senior rank in British policing.

Last night Mr Ghaffur’s demands were slammed by the grieving father of murdered 15-year-old Billy Cox.

Tommy Cox, 54, whose son was shot dead in Clapham, South London, last year, said “The Met have offered a £20,000 reward to catch Billy’s killer which is nothing compared to £2million. Mr Ghaffur should be helping to channel the Met’s resources into fighting crime not into his own bank account. It’s a disgrace.”