Ex-Met chief brands Asian officer's race claims as 'nonsense'

Lord Stevens today described the allegation that he fostered a "golden circle" of white officers during his time as Metropolitan police commissioner as "absolute nonsense".

The former head of Scotland Yard dismissed claims by Commander Shabir Hussain that a favoured group of cronies - all white - were promoted at the expense of ethnic minority officers.

Mr Hussain is suing the Met and the Metropolitan Police Authority on the grounds that he was repeatedly passed over for promotion because of his race.

Among the allegations is that Lord Stevens and his successor Sir Ian Blair promoted their favourites on five occasions. The claims were vehemently denied by Lord Stevens today after Mr Hussain's barrister Martyn Barklem said: "I have to put this to you Lord Stevens that you did indeed have a golden circle of people whose careers you fostered and groomed."

Lord Stevens responded: "That's absolute nonsense, why would I possibly do that to Shabir? Bearing in mind I had been his supporter in terms of his ability. There was no golden circle.

"People were promoted on their ability-My view of Shabir was exceptionally high and to be accused of that I find absolutely nonsensical."

Mr Barklem replied: "I must put to you

... that Mr Hussain was not in a favoured circle of officers because his face didn't fit and his face didn't fit because he was Asian." Lord Stevens said: "The evidence I have given is totally at odds with that of the allegation."

In Mr Hussain's statement, at the start of the tribunal, he told of an incident in which he felt Lord Stevens had mocked his ambition by laughing when he told him he aspired to reach the top of the force. Today Lord Stevens said: "Commander-Hussain is right to say I was amused to hear ... that he fancied my job. I would have found it amusing if any officer newly promoted ... had made a similar statement."

Lord Stevens said Mr Hussain had lost out on two promotions to deputy assistant commissioner during his tenure because "highly experienced officers" were chosen in the best interests of the Met. Met Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, who was involved in two of the interviews in which Mr Hussain alleges he was overlooked, also denied discrimination. The hearing, at Stratford Employment Tribunal, continues.