Blair was keen to emphasise yesterday that the reason for the gardening leave was not linked to the discrimination claim but rather it was "the way [Ghaffur] has chosen to conduct himself. For example by the manner in which statements were made in his press conference, in conducting a media campaign, both personally and through the advisors and organisations supporting him."

But there's no denying that Ghaffur's absence leaves Blair's pro-diversity policy in tatters and risks damaging a police force that has often had difficulty escaping a less than exemplary past when it comes to accusations of racism.

With the No 3 slot open there is now no ethnic minority officer above the rank of Commander in the Met and I doubt this will do much to silence the rather vocal Ghaffur. If anything it might embolden him.

It also reveals how much the Met dislikes all but a chosen few senior officers from talking to the press of their own volition.

Punishing Ghaffur for talking to the media about his concerns over race discrimination, however flamboyantly and excitedly he might have done so, makes the force look like it is desperately keen to avoid the public knowing about the damaging divisions at a senior level in one of the most important police forces in the country.

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