Met Police officer who blew whistle over 'racist' black monkey toy 'told he faced sack'

Concerns had been raised over black monkey placed on colleague's desk

Indian-born officer was also reportedly told he faced dismissal (PA)

A police officer who raised concerns about racism in the workplace was accused of gross misconduct.

The Indian-born officer noticed a black toy monkey wearing a police uniform at a central London station, according to BBC News.

He raised the issue with Scotland Yard, who said the matter would be looked into.

However, just a month later the officer was put under investigation for posting “untrue and potentially inflammatory comments”.

The officer was also reportedly told he faced the prospect of being dismissed.

He was subsequently cleared at a misconduct hearing that found he had not breached standards of professional behaviour.

He later took the case to an employment tribunal, alleging he had been racially discriminated against and victimised, where he received a settlement of £35,000.

It comes just a month after Detective Constable Nighat Hubbard launched legal proceedings against the Met for racism and sexism in the workplace.

She alleges she was held back while white colleagues were allowed to work more complex investigations.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Martin, who is in charge of professionalism at the Met, said in a statement: "Over the last two years the Met has made significant investment in improving how we handle complaints made by our own staff linked to discrimination, bullying or harassment.

"We are committed to a system which everyone can be confident in and a genuine belief that it has fairness.

"We have long recognised that people do have concern that they fear being victimised if they raise a complaint, regardless of whether that fear is justified.

"That has never been acceptable and we continue to make it very clear to our staff that victimisation will never be tolerated, that it will be investigated, and will have serious repercussions if it occurs.”