Met Police racism probe 'is flawed'

7:35pm Monday 6th October 2008

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An investigation into alleged racism in Britain's largest police force is flawed before it has even begun, it has been claimed.

London Mayor Boris Johnson was told the inquiry will be expensive, unnecessary and vulnerable to accusations of bias.

Members of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) attacked Mr Johnson for announcing the inquiry unilaterally.

At his first meeting as chairman of the watchdog body Mr Johnson endured a series of attacks.

He was told an inquiry could undermine the credibility of the Met's response to rows with several senior ethnic minority officers. Former chairman Len Duvall said the Authority itself was "not immune" from allegations of racism.

Mr Johnson was also accused of "usurping" his powers by forcing Commissioner Sir Ian Blair from office last week. And he was warned potential successors may be frightened off by his apparently politically-charged intervention.

Speaking at City Hall, Lord Toby Harris said any race inquiry must be run independently to protect the Authority from claims of bias.

He said: "I am slightly concerned what we are in the process of doing is creating something that could be the world's biggest long grass job.

"Clearly there are issues and concerns but I have experience of setting up the Morris inquiry which was inspired by the Authority, but entirely independent.

"It took a long time, it was very expensive and we would be well placed to revisit some of the recommendations from that inquiry and some other inquiries that have taken place."

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