London - A highly-sensitive row over alleged racial discrimination in Britain's top police force escalated Tuesday with the suspension of Tarique Ghaffur, Scotland Yard's most senior Muslim officer.

Ghaffur, a Ugandan Asian who joined the force at 16 and is an Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police (Met), has accused the force of racial discrimination and is taking his case to an industrial tribunal.

Scotland Yard chief Ian Blair, the chief target of Ghaffur's allegations, said Tuesday that the officer's "temporary suspension" had "nothing to do" with the employment tribunal case.

The decision was taken because Ghaffur's "personal conduct" and his "media campaign" against the force had affected the "operational effectiveness" of the London police, Blair said.

Ghaffur had been temporarily relieved of his responsibilities and would be on "authorized leave" while remaining Assistant Commissioner.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Black Police Association, which has been backing Ghaffur, said the senior officer was being "victimised" by Blair. (dpa)