After months of backbiting and backstabbing, the civil war at the top of Scotland Yard became a very public affair today.

Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, the country’s most senior ethnic minority police officer, publicly accused the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, of subjecting him to a long period of racial discrimination and victimisation.

Mr Ghaffur, wearing full police uniform, made his allegations in a televised press conference at a West End hotel.

Within hours, however, the Yard responded with Sir Paul Stephenson, the Deputy Commissioner, telling Mr Ghaffur to stop talking and get on with his job.

“I think it is long past time that we all shut up, stop making public statements about private disputes and get on with the job we are paid to do,” said Sir Paul.

The Deputy Commissioner said he had advised Mr Ghaffur on Wednesday night against making a public display of his dispute with his boss.

Sir Paul added: "Clearly he chose not to do so. That is a matter for him to reconcile with what he considers to be his proper responsibilities as one of this country's most senior police officers.

"In doing so he, and all other senior colleagues, and I include myself in that, need to remember what we are being paid to do - and that is to enjoy the privilege of leading committed and professional colleagues in protecting the public that we all serve.

"Our job is to work for the safety and security of people here in London, so that they can enjoy their rights.

"It is their rights that need to be at the forefront of all our minds - we need to ensure that internal disputes and personal issues do not detract us from this overwhelmingly important mission.”

Earlier, Mr Ghaffur called a press conference to confirm speculation that he was taking Sir Ian to an employment tribunal alleging discrimination.

He said: “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.

“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.”

Mr Ghaffur said he had resorted to legal action against his commanding officer “with deep regret”.

He added: “I’m content with my achievements so far. I’m not seeking massive monetary benefits and I do not have grievances against the whole of the Met, an organisation that I dearly love and admire”.

But he declined to answer questions, leaving his lawyer to explain that he wanted to be reinstated to his post overseeing Olympic security and sought a contract extension to 2012.

Mr Ghaffur, a police officer since 1974, is due to retire when his current contract expires in March next year.

In his response to the statement, Sir Paul said he would not be commenting in detail on the allegations made by Mr Ghaffur.

But he added: “We do not accept the charges of discrimination against us and intend to robustly challenge them.”

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