Blair formally accused of racist plot on Ghaffur

Britain's most senior police officer today stood accused of plotting to oust a rival and discriminating against him on the grounds of race, religion and age.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair was formally issued with a race claim by Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, who is suing Scotland Yard in a multi-million-pound action.

Mr Ghaffur claims he has been treated less favourably than other officers because he is Muslim and Asian. He also alleges that his employers refused to extend his contract beyond a year because he is aged over 50.

This is the first time an officer of such seniority has sued the Metropolitan Police Service and the case is expected to be the biggest crisis to hit Scotland Yard since it was found to be " institutionally racist" in the mid-Nineties.

The Met now has 28 days to formally respond to Mr Ghaffur's claim.

A source said: "Tarique Ghaffur feels that he has given his life to the force yet his experience was purposely used against him. This was instrumental in him deciding to push the nuclear button on this case."

Mr Ghaffur is said to have a dossier of papers purporting to prove that he was the victim of a hate campaign. Some allegations refer directly to the actions of the Met Commissioner, whom he claims has plotted to undermine and oust him since replacing former commissioner Sir John Stevens in 2005. The papers also allege that Mr Ghaffur was "spied on" by police during a failed investigation into Chief Superintendent Ali Dizaei.

The case is expected to go to an employment tribunal later this year. Sources said witnesses likely to be called "read like a Who's Who" of the Met, including Lord Stevens, Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson and former deputy assistant commissioner Brian Paddick.

Mr Ghaffur has appointed Robin Allen QC and Lord Brennan QC and Iranian law firm Dean & Dean.

The case will add to pressure on Sir Ian, who is awaiting the outcome of a tribunal claim by Commander Shabir Hussain, who alleges that he was passed over for promotion four times, losing out to members of Sir Ian's alleged "golden circle of white officers". The Met chief is also being investigated over £3million worth of contracts awarded to friend Andy Miller and next month faces an inquest into the 2005 shooting of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes.

The Metropolitan Police Authority said fixed-term contracts were made by police authorities following a national agreement by the police negotiating body and age was not relevant.