Pictured with her gun: Woman armed police officer, 34, sues Scotland Yard over claims she suffered racial and sexual discrimination

• .Carol Howard, a firearms officer with the Diplomatic Protection Group, claims her career has been held back at Scotland Yard
• .She claims a senior male DPG officer has denied her equal opportunities
• .Tribunal hearing, to be held next month, also involves bullying allegations

By WILLIAM TURVILL

A black female armed police officer is suing Scotland Yard claiming racial and sexual discrimination.

Carol Howard, 34, a firearms officer with the Diplomatic Protection Group, which is at the centre of the Plebgate scandal, has reportedly claimed that her career has been held back.

Ms Howard has claimed that a senior male DPG officer has denied her equal opportunities.

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Carol Howard, 34, is suing Scotland Yard claiming racial and sexual discrimination

The tribunal hearing, to be held at Central London Employment Tribunal on March 31, also involves bullying allegations, according to the Evening Standard.

The paper reports today that the case has been going on for two years and is being funded by the Police Federation.

Ms Howard, in her role at the DPG, protects politicians, government buildings and foreign embassies in London. She was also involved in safeguarding London from terror attack during the 2012 Olympic Games.

Based in Kensington, she has served in the force for more than ten years.

 

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A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘Police Constable Carol Howard of the Diplomatic Protection Group is bringing an employment tribunal against the Met citing racial and sexual discrimination.

‘The Met will robustly defend the claim.’

This hearing is the latest in a series of allegations made against the DPG.

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A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'The Met will robustly defend the claim'

On Wednesday, two of its officers were sacked for their role in the Plebgate scandal.

PC Keith Wallis was sentenced to 12 months in prison earlier this month for lying about witnessing the incident involving former chief whip Andrew Mitchell at the gates of Downing Street.

And PC James Glanville was also dismissed on Wednesday after a misconduct hearing found he had given information about the incident to the Sun newspaper and lied about it to investigators. 

He was arrested on January 31 last year on suspicion of leaking information to the media but in November was told he would not be charged.