Record payout for race slur

A Sikh police sergeant who was sacked after being wrongly
accused of sending racist hate mail has received £350,000 in compensation, a
record for a police officer in a race discrimination claim.

Gurpal Virdi claims the Metropolitan Police have agreed to
pay him £200,000 at a second racial discrimination tribunal at which he claimed
unfair dismissal.

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The alleged settlement follows a £150,000 award made to
Virdi after a tribunal last year. It showed he was innocent of sending abusive
letters to himself and colleagues at Ealing Police Station, in West London.

Gurbux Singh, chairman of the Commission for Racial
Equality, said, “Many important steps have been taken by the Met in recent
years. What has happened in this case compromises them if it is not responded
to promptly, properly and effectively.”