Gurpal Virdi: MPA to conduct independent inquiry

16/00
1 September 2000

The Chair of the Metropolitan Policy Authority, Toby Harris, today announced that R. David Muir will chair the independent inquiry into the case of former police sergeant Gurpal Virdi. Mr Muir is one of the seven independent members of the Authority and the Chair of its Consultation, Diversity and Outreach Committee.

Mr Virdi was dismissed by the Metropolitan Police Service earlier this year after a Police Disciplinary Tribunal unanimously found him guilty of having distributed racist literature to other ethnic minority colleagues in the MPS. Mr Virdi subsequently went to the Employment Tribunal alleging racial discrimination, including the way in which the investigation was conducted. On 23 August the Tribunal found that the Metropolitan Police Service had discriminated against him.

R. David Muir will shortly announce the membership of the inquiry, which will include a member of the Met’s Independent Advisory Group and a senior police officer from another force. In consultation with the Authority’s Chair, Toby Harris, Mr Muir will announce the inquiry’s terms of reference.

Speaking at a press conference held by the Met’s Independent Advisory Group this morning, R. David Muir said:

“This is an MPA led inquiry and it is my intention that it will get underway without delay. We will aim to report back to the Authority within a matter of weeks rather than months.

“We want to continue to build upon the positive changes taking place in the Met as a result of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report. There are undoubtedly significant lessons to be learnt from this affair and how such matters should be better conducted in the future.

“The inquiry will examine closely the procedures by which the disciplinary processes were carried out. It will be concerned with looking forward, ensuring such investigations in the future are conducted fairly and have the confidence of all concerned.”

The Authority views the inquiry as an opportunity for the Met to establish the same principles for managing their own staff as they are seeking to apply in their dealings with the general public.

Notes to editors

R. David Muir is a senior lecturer in Caribbean Studies at the University of North London. He graduated with a BA(Hons) in Politics and Government and subsequently gained an MA in Political Education from London University. David is the Executive Director of the Black Christian Civic Forum; he is a former senior executive of the Commonwealth Institute and vice-chair of Greenwich Council Race Committee. Since 1999 David has been a member of the Met’s Independent Advisory Group and Associate Trainer for the Metropolitan Police, developing teaching materials for new police recruits. David is adviser to DAC John Grieve on the McGowan murder inquiry in Telford. The Metropolitan Police Authority took over responsibility for the Metropolitan Police Service from the Home Secretary on 3 July.

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