UK's most senior Asian policewoman accuses Met Police of discrimination

ONE of Britain's most senior female Asian police officers has accused the Metropolitan Police of discrimination and has begun legal action.

Parm Sandhu, who is of Indian heritage, claims she was denied promotion because of her race and gender, and the first hearing in her case is due to take place at an employment tribunal next week.

Sandhu, 54, joined the Met in 1989. She feels she could have progressed faster had she not been discriminated against over many years.

The police officer is backed by the Metropolitan Black Police Association, as well as Mick Creedon, the former chief constable of Derbyshire Police, who acted as her mentor.

Friends of Sandhu told the BBC that she started legal proceedings "reluctantly" after the force started an investigation into allegations she had encouraged colleagues to support her nomination for a Queen's Police Medal (QPM).

The QPM is given to serving police officers in the UK and offers are not expected to nominate themselves. They are also not meant to contribute to or know about the process.

In June 2018, Sandhu was informed that she was under investigation for alleged "gross misconduct". But last month the inquiry concluded she had "no case to answer" and would face no further action.

In response to questions about Sandhu , Scotland Yard said: "A temporary chief superintendent was served with a gross misconduct notice on Wednesday 27 June 2018 and placed on restricted duties.

"Two other officers – a detective superintendent and an inspector – were informed they were under investigation for misconduct only and remained on full duties.

"The investigation concluded in June 2019 and found there was no case to answer for gross misconduct or misconduct in relation to any of the officers.'

Regarding Sandhu's action against the force, it added: "The claim will be heard on a date yet to be confirmed... It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage. At this early stage, we are unable to comment further around defending the claim."