Press Release - 20 February 2009

New Inquiry into Discrimination within the Metropolitan Police

A Bradford based organisation, founded in 1990, that supports the educational, social and economic development of ethnic minorities in the UK has welcomed a new inquiry into discrimination within the Metropolitan Police in London.

Ten years after the Met was accused of institutional racism after the murder of Stephen Lawrence, the Race and Faith Inquiry will examine why black and ethnic minority officers are more likely to leave the force and are less successful in gaining promotion than their white counterparts.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, set up the inquiry in response to a series of high-profile race disputes that undermined the leadership of Sir Ian Blair as Commissioner of the Met.

QED-UK, an organisation from Bradford in West Yorkshire, welcomes the move and says minority ethnic communities are forming an increasing proportion of the available workforce in Britain.

QED points out that -

• Over half the growth in workforce over the next decade will come from these communities. For a harmonious and cohesive society it is important all people feel that they can be integrated and workforce integration is essential for social integration.
  
  
• There is a vast socio-economic diversity within the minority ethnic communities. Some groups are progressing well e.g. - Indian and Chinese children doing well above average in education; others such as Pakistani, African-Caribbean, less so. These achievements, or under-achievements, will have massive impact on the employment opportunities for these communities.
  
  
• There is a huge employment rate gap between minority ethnic groups and the general population. It is estimated that around 0.5m more minority ethnic people need to be in jobs, nationally, to close this gap and the current employment situation will make this worse. Employers admit that up to half of this gap could be due to unfair discrimination.
  
  
• Almost ten years ago QED examined these issues in a local authority. Reasons for lack of progression included - minority people not being given a chance in taking up positions where excellent opportunities existed for on the job. Also some people, who did not drink, e.g. Muslims and some women, felt that coaching by colleagues for promotion jobs was carried after work in pubs.
  
  

Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, Chief Executive of QED-UK, said: "Addressing recruitment, retention and promotion in a fair way is essential for all employers including the Police. Many minority groups in public, private and even the third sectors are at the bottom. This inquiry should present practical solutions to improve representation of minority ethnic people at senior levels."

Tarique Ghaffur, a former assistant commissioner who received a £300,000 pay-off after accusing Sir Ian of discrimination, will be the first witness at the inquiry. His testimony, which he will be allowed to give in secret, comes at a time when the Met is trying to make a fresh start under Sir Paul Stephenson.

The race inquiry also coincides with the Runnymede Trust’s review of the police service's progress in tackling racism since Sir William Macpherson published his report into the death of Mr Lawrence.