Gurpal Virdi appeal

36/00
30 November 2000

R. David Muir, Chair of the Consultation, Diversity and Outreach committee of the Metropolitan Police Authority, has responded to the offer by the MPS to re-instate Gurpal Virdi. This follows his appeal against the findings of the Metropolitan Police Service disciplinary tribunal held earlier this year. Commenting on this, he said,

“The MPA will be conducting an independent inquiry into the case of Gurpal Virdi. However, this decision is a step in the process of moving forward and shows that we can continue to build on the positive changes taking place in the Met.

“There are significant lessons to be learnt from how this case was carried out. Our inquiry will be looking at ways to ensure that such investigations conducted in future will have the confidence of everyone concerned.”

Police sergeant Gurpal Virdi was dismissed by the MPS earlier this year after a Police disciplinary tribunal unanimously found him guilty of having distributed racist literature to other ethnic colleagues in the MPS.

Subsequently Gurpal Virdi went to Employment Tribunal alleging racial discrimination, including the way in which the investigation was conducted. On 23 August the Tribunal found that the Metropolitan Police had discriminated against him.

Today Gurpal Virdi appealed against the decision of the MPS disciplinary tribunal.

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 the MPS Independent Advisory Group and Associate Trainer for the MPS, developing teaching materials for new police recruits. David is advisor to DAC John Grieve on the McGowan murder inquiry in Telford.

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