Met Police did not make racist promotions

Commander Shabir Hussain claimed that the Metropolitan Police Authority overlooked him four times for promotion, instead promoting white colleagues. But the Tribunal said this was because other applicants were more suitable for the job due to experience or had performed better at interview.

A spokeswoman from the Metropolitan Police Service said: "Our policy and practice is designed to allow all members of the Service to fulfil their potential regardless of the ethnicity or faith. Commander Hussain remains a valued senior member of Metropolitan Police Service performing an important role for the people of London."

Commenting on the outcome of the case, Marian Bloodworth, senior lawyer in Lovells' employment team, said: "This outcome shows that employers can successfully defend discrimination allegations and highlights the importance of keeping clear and properly maintained records and notes in relation to promotion decisions."

She added: "Objective records of performance or other attributes (such as relevant experience) can explain why one candidate was preferred over others and can help, as in this case to rebut allegations that race played a part in decision making."

This is the first of two high profile cases the Metropolitan Police is involved in. Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur has alleged that he was "sidelined" from further promotion by Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. His Tribunal is expected to be heard next year.

However the Metropolitan Police has announced that the force has trebled its number of black and Asian officers since 1999 and only last week (30 August) held a recruitment event in central London when 32% of the 1221 attendees were from an ethnic minority background.