Sikh in UK wins racial discrimination compensation for second time

London, Oct 11 (UNI) A Sikh detective in UK has won a huge compensation for a second time after being termed a victim of racial discrimination.

Gurpal Virdi sued Scotland Yard after being turned down for a promotion to inspector in 2005. He had alleged that he had been victimised and discriminated against, daily mail reported.

The recent payout could run into tens of thousands of pounds, adding to the 240,000 pounds he received earlier.

Mr Virdi was preparing to sue the Met for a third time.

The Sikh detective moved the court for the first time in 2000 after he was sacked from his job on being falsely accused of sending racist hate mail to colleagues.

He was reinstated and received a compensation of 240,000 pounds after a tribunal found that he had been the victim of racial discrimination.

His case, then, had attracted huge publicity and became a cause celebre for race campaigners.

In the latest case Mr Virdi claimed that his previous dispute with the force had resulted in him being treated 'less favourably'.

Earlier this year, the tribunal heard that Mr Virdi's initial application for promotion was approved at a local level by the recommending panel.

But the recommendation was overturned by the Met's 'Central Review Panel' who termed him unsuitable for a more senior post.

But the tribunal yesterday found that Mr Virdi had suffered victimisation.

In a statement, Scotland Yard said it was 'disappointed' that the tribunal had ruled Mr Virdi had been victimised by the force, adding that the Met would give full and careful consideration to the written decision of the tribunal.

''Mr Virdi remains a valued member of the Met and we will continue to provide him with the appropriate support to meet his professional development needs, as we do with all of our staff,'' it said.

UNI