Senior female Asian officer accuses Metropolitan Police of discrimination

Parm Sandhu claims she was denied promotion because of her race and gender

The officer received an Asian Women of Achievement Award for her work in the aftermath of the 2005 London tube bombings (PA)

One of Britain’s most senior female Asian police officers has accused London's Metropolitan Police of racial and gender discrimination.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Parm Sandhu, 54, alleges she has been denied promotion and work opportunities during her 30-year career with the force.

Scotland Yard confirmed a claim had been made and would be heard “on a date yet to be confirmed.”

A spokesperson said: “It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

It comes after Ms Sandhu was cleared of breaching rules about honours nominations last year.

In June 2018 she was placed on restricted duties during an internal investigation into whether she encouraged colleagues to support her nomination for a Queen’s Police Medal (QPM).

National Police Chiefs’ Council guidelines state “any person can nominate any other person for an honour” but people are not supposed to nominate themselves.

Last month the inquiry found there was no case to answer.

“The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards began an investigation into the conduct of three officers following an allegation they breached guidelines relating to the UK honours nomination process,” the force said in a statement.

“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."

Ms Sandhu has not not commented publicly on her discrimination claim but did retweet a BBC article about the case on Saturday.

She joined the police in 1989 and received an Asian Women of Achievement award in 2006, largely for her work in reassuring the community in the aftermath of the 7 July terrorist attacks on London’s transport system.

Ms Sandu became borough commander in Richmond-upon-Thames in 2016 and in June 2018 tweeted that she was going to be promoted to Chief Superintendent, “the first woman of colour to hold this rank”.

She also recently revealed how she was mistaken for a “tea lady” at a meeting she was chairing.

Additional reporting by Press Association