LONDON: A Sikh policeman has been awarded 70,000 pounds in compensation in Britain for being denied a promotion after he took legal action against the police force accusing it of racial discrimination.

An Employment Tribunal ruled in October Det Sgt Gurpal Virdi was victimised when he was turned down for promotion to detective inspector in 2005 by the Metropolitan Police.

It found his application was treated "less favourably" as he had taken previous legal action against the Metropolitan Police. In 2000, Virdi received 240,000 pounds in compensation after a separate tribunal declared the Metropolitan Police had racially discriminated against him.

He had been sacked after being wrongly accused of sending racist hate mail fellow police officers at Hanwell police station.

The tribunal has this time awarded Virdi 8,779 pounds for injury to feelings, and 61,620 pounds for loss of earnings and pensions.

The Metropolitan Police has appealed against the ruling.

Timesofindia.com