Former Met police officer in race case

A black former police officer has accused the Metropolitan Police of racism after he was asked to give DNA samples in a major rape inquiry.

Nathaniel Braithwaite is taking the Met to tribunal alleging unfair dismissal and racial discrimination.

The former CID officer, who was with the Met for 10 years, was one of many officers hunting a serial sex attacker known as the "Night Stalker", who has attacked more than 90 elderly women in 12 years.

But Mr Braithwaite refused to take part in an operation taking DNA from black males in south London. He said: "They would never do that for a white suspect, so why do it for a black person?"

Then he said he was told he would have to be tested himself. "They told me I matched the description of the suspect and if I didn't give a sample I would be arrested," he said.

A Met spokesman said: "A former Met Pc based in south London has lodged a complaint with an employment tribunal. A date has yet to be set."