This resource is from the News section. This page contains press release 41/00, which announces that the MPS has been ordered to pay compensation to Virdi and that the MPA are considering appeal.

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Gurpal Virdi - MPA to consider appeal

41/00
8 December 2000

Today the Metropolitan Police Service was ordered to pay Gurpal Virdi £151,688 in compensation following an Employment Tribunal earlier this year in which Mr Virdi alleged racial discrimination. The finding on 23 August 2000 was that the Metropolitan Police Service had discriminated against him.

Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Toby Harris said:

“We will now consider our position and whether we will be appealing to the Employment Appeal Tribunal.

“There are lots of lessons to be learnt from these events. The Gurpal Virdi case has raised major issues which need to be addressed urgently. The MPA Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding this case will be examining closely the procedures by which the disciplinary processes were carried out.

“The re-instatement of Mr Virdi was undoubtedly 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.

“The MPA Inquiry will also be concerned with looking forward, ensuring such investigations in the future are conducted fairly and have the confidence of everyone concerned.”

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 Met.

Subsequently Mr Virdi went to Employment Tribunal alleging racial discrimination, including the way in which the investigation was conducted. On 23 August 2000 the Tribunal found that the Met had discriminated against him. On 30 November Mr Virdi appealed successfully against the decision of the disciplinary tribunal and was re-instated in the Met.

Notes to editors

The sum of £151,688 comprises Tribunal award of £149,688 plus agreed overtime payment of £2000 (period April 1998 - December 2000) had Mr Virdi not been suspended from duty.

Further media information

For further information, please contact the MPA press office.