Sikh officer wins third race prejudice payout from Yard

An Asian police officer who was twice paid compensation for racial discrimination has won another five-figure sum for more mistreatment by the Met.

Detective Sergeant Gurpal Virdi has been awarded £70,400 after being passed over for promotion for having exposed racial discrimination at Scotland Yard.

Today the 49-year-old Sikh called on Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair to bring in tough new measures to stamp out discrimination because "no amount of training appeared to be working".

The payout means he has received more than £300,000 from the Met in compensation for racial persecution.

An industrial tribunal heard that Sgt Virdi was told he could not become a detective inspector because members of a promotion panel had been prejudiced against him by his previous victories.

In August 2000, Sgt Virdi was awarded £150,000 by a tribunal for racial discrimination by the Met when he was unfairly dismissed from the force.

He had been sacked after being wrongly accused of sending racist hate mail to black and Asian officers at Hanwell police station.

He was reinstated in 2002 and an internal investigation found major failings in what was seen as a landmark case in race relations inside the police service.

Sir John Stevens, then Commissioner, apologised and agreed Sgt Virdi should be paid another £90,000 compensation by the force for "injury to his feelings".

On his return to duty he worked for assistant commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, the Met's most senior Asian officer, on community issues and policy.

In 2005 Sgt Virdi was presented by Sir Ian with the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Encouraged by senior officers, he applied for promotion to detective inspector at a time when the Met had a shortage.

Hewas endorsed by his line manager and it was agreed that he satisfied all the official criteria.

However, he was turned down by a review panel and his appeal was rejected. The employment tribunal stated: "The appeal panel, at the very least subconsciously, was affected by their knowledge of the claimant and the action he had taken."

Sgt Virdi said: "If Sir Ian Blair is serious about tackling victimisation and discrimination, then he must take some form of disciplinary action. Having spent nearly 10 years fighting discrimination in the Met, I am delighted that the tribunal has once again decided in my favour.

"With four years left to serve I am looking forward to continuing my career with an unblemished record."

Solicitor Arpita Dutt, of Russell, Jones and Walker, added: "Following a record race discrimination payout to Mr Virdi and having been subject to three inquiries it is disconcerting that the Met has failed to properly implement recommendations and learn lessons to prevent the repeat victimisation of him. Mr Virdi's career progression has been blocked by the actions of senior officers in the Metropolitan Police Service.

"The tribunal considered not only future earnings but also the pension payments he would have received if he had retired as a detective inspector. I am delighted he has received just compensation."

Sgt Virdi joined the Met as a constable in May 1982 and is set to retire having completed 30 years' service in 2012. Sarah Drury, vice chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: "We hope the Met will learn the lessons and treat all officers in a fair and transparent manner."

A Met spokesman said it was appealing against the tribunal's decision.