Inquiry into racism within Met

London: London Mayor Boris Johnson said he would launch an inquiry into racism within the capital's police force as its Black Police Association urged minority recruits to boycott the service.

The moves will add further pressure to the Metropolitan Police Service following the resignation last week of its Commissioner Sir Ian Blair after months of criticism of his leadership and his handling of major investigations.

Among other issues Sir Ian had become embroiled in a high-profile row with Britain's highest ranking Muslim officer, Assistant Commissioner Tarek Gafour, who accused him of racial discrimination.

Johnson said the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), which oversees policing in London, would conduct a inquiry into "race and faith issues" within the force.

"Policing a multicultural capital requires the police to have the full confidence of the communities they serve as well as its own staff," he said.

MPA member Cindy Butts, who will lead the racism inquiry, told the BBC that London's force had improved "by leaps and bounds" since the 1999 Macpherson report into the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence that said the Met was institutionally racist.

But she said problems remained with race issues within the service.

The Metropolitan Black Police Association said it would boycott all drives aimed at attracting minority recruits.

Alfred John, chairman of the association, told the BBC the boycott was being called to publicise the lack of progress of black staff through the force's ranks, which he said was worse than a decade ago.

"There are less black and minority staff and officers in senior positions now than there were before the Macpherson report, despite the fact that there are over 2,000 more minorities working for the organisation," he said.

London (AFP) British black police officers launched a campaign yesterday to discourage people from the black and ethnic minority communities from joining the London force, claiming promotion is being hampered by racism.

The Metropolitan Black Police Association (MBPA) said it was boycotting all drives to attract black and minority recruits because they were finding it harder to climb the career ladder than a decade ago.

The MBPA's chairman, Alfred John, said it was "inherently dangerous for us to be encouraging people to join and walking into what we consider to be a hostile environment.

"They will face racism, oppression..." he told BBC radio.