Met pays out 'six-figure sum' to senior black officer

The Metropolitan Police has paid an estimated six-figure sum to a decorated black officer it investigated for corruption, it emerged today.

Chief Inspector Leroy Logan, who chairs the Metropolitan branch of the Black Police Association, was subjected to a £300,000 investigation over an £80 hotel bill, according to his solicitor.

The investigation into Mr Logan's affairs was carried out as part of the four-year, multi-million pound inquiry into Iranian-born Superintendent Ali Dizaei, who was cleared of dishonesty charges at the Old Bailey in September, Sadiq Khan said.

He said that Mr Logan's active support for Mr Dizaei - who is returning to Scotland Yard after receiving an £80,000 payout - resulted in a disciplinary and criminal investigation into the chief inspector's affairs that began in June 2001.

Five months later, Mr Logan was cleared and he launched a claim for racial discrimination and victimisation.

An employment tribunal hearing was due to start on Monday but only days before, the force agreed to the settlement.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said this morning: "Negotiations have taken place and we hope to be able to issue a statement shortly."

It is expected that Scotland Yard will release a four-paragraph statement later today declaring that the conclusion of the investigation has left Mr Logan's reputation "demonstrably intact".

The statement is also expected to say: "It is not in the public interest to defend the case of racism and victimisation that was put by Chief Inspector Logan.

"We look forward to continuing dialogue ... as to how we may speedily address the remaining matters of concern raised at recent meetings."

This paragraph refers to the Met's decision to allow employment conciliation service Acas to look into 20 other outstanding discrimination claims from ethnic minority officers, Mr Khan said.

Mr Logan, who has an MBE for his role in the development of anti-racist policies, refused to comment this morning.

But his solicitor said he now wanted to "move forward" within the Met and help to build an inclusive police service.