How the row unfolded

Tarique Ghaffur joins the Met as Deputy Assistant Commissioner. He is made Borough Commander of Westminster the next year. Promoted to Assistant Commissioner the year after.

NOVEMBER 2002

Assumes responsibility for the Specialist Crime Directorate.

MAY 2006

Made head of Central Operations and later that year he is tasked by Sir Ian with heading the security operation for the 2012 Olympics.

JUNE 2008

It is revealed that Ghaffur is preparing a race claim against Scotland Yard over concerns he had been sidelined.

JULY 2008

Sir Ian refutes allegations that he racially discriminates against minority officers, saying it would be an "aberration" from his drive to promote diversity.

AUGUST 2008

In a televised press conference, Ghaffur announces a race bias and discrimination case against his employers and names Sir Ian. It triggers a rebuke from the Met chief's deputy Sir Paul Stephenson who tells Ghaffur to "shut up" and "get on with the job".

TODAY

Ghaffur is temporarily relieved of his duties in a face-to-face meeting with Sir Ian.