A senior officer has launched his discrimination claim against the Metropolitan Police force.

Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur said he had been discriminated against "over a long period of time" by Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair.

He added that he had been sidelined in his role leading security for London's 2012 Olympics.

But Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said that the Met "did not accept" claims of discrimination made by Mr Ghaffur and would "robustly challenge them".

Speaking at a press conference in central London, Mr Ghaffur said his employment tribunal claim would include claims of race and religious discrimination.

Mr Ghaffur also said he had been "victimised" by the Met since his claim became public.

"My current case is essentially to do with my treatment at the highest levels of the Met, in particular the discrimination I have been subject to over a long period of time by the present commissioner Sir Ian Blair," he said.

"It is to do with the continuation of that treatment into the very important job I was doing as the co-ordinator of the security and safety of the 2012 Olympics.

"Finally it is to do with the victimisation I have suffered since my grievances leaked to the media."

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