MPA chief executive faces discrimination claims

Chief executive of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), Catherine Crawford, is under investigation following claims she discriminated against black officers.
The MPA has appointed an independent investigating officer to conduct an inquiry after a complaint was made by the Metropolitan Black Police Association (MetBPA), according to the BBC. It also emerged that it has taken Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, three months to set up an inquiry.
The MPA has said it has every faith in Ms Crawford.
The BBC said it uncovered legal papers submitted to investigator Anthony Allen by the MetBPA, accusing Ms Crawford of a “failure to truly hold to account” senior Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers over race and religious discrimination and equality of opportunity.
According to the documents seen by the BBC, the MetBPA claims Ms Crawford was “reluctant” to investigate race discrimination complaints made by her own staff against senior white officers, while allegations made against senior ethnic minority officers were pursued more rigorously.
The BBC claims that the legal documents suggest evidence will be submitted from someone close to Ms Crawford of an alleged “plot” against Commander Ali Dizaei, president of the National Black Police Association.
The anonymous source allegedly warned Mr Dizaei that Ms Crawford and the MPA were “out to get” him and Tarique Ghaffur, the MPS’ former assistant commissioner.
Mr Ghaffur agreed an out-of-court settlement with the MPS in November last year following claims of racial discrimination.
The BBC said the documents also contained claims from the MetBPA that Ms Crawford has not fulfilled her responsibility in implementing policies on race and equality.
In a statement, the police authority said: “The MPA has a formal process to deal with complaints against members of staff.
“On January 13, 2009, a complaint was formally recorded by the MPA complaints officer. An independent investigating officer was appointed.
“As this is an ongoing internal staff matter it is not appropriate to discuss further.
“However, the MPA retains full confidence in its chief executive, Catherine Crawford, and will not be commenting publicly in detail on the complaint.”