CLEVELAND Police chief constable Jacqui Cheer is “frustrated” by an Asian officer’s allegations of racism at a time when she is trying to move the Force forward, her deputy told an employment tribunal today (Wednesday, September 30).

Deputy Chief Constable Iain Spittal said there were a number of people within Cleveland Police who had suggested that allegations made by firearms officer Nadeem Saddique were “frivolous and vexacious”.

When asked if Mrs Cheer felt that way, he said: “I have seen her frustrated at the impact this was having on her attempts to move things forward.”

But he said she understood Mr Saddique had a right to make the tribunal claim. He did not name the people who believed his claims to be frivolous.

Firearms officer PC Saddique is pursuing a claim of racial discrimination against the force.

During his case Cleveland Police has been accused of “watering down” a report probing institutional racism at the force.

But Mr Spittal said the Equality Review had led to a series of recommendations which were currently being put in place to deal with any racism issues, including a review of recruitment and promotion procedures.

He said Mrs Cheer was “quite clearly frustrated with the fact that the positive commitment and step she took in starting the Equality Review hasn’t delivered what we wanted it to deliver”.

He added: “She is frustrated for the community we serve. Some of these charges have taken the focus away from the genuine things the Equality Review was set up for, to make our organisation stronger and better.

“Instead the focus is on individuals who have got angst with the organisation.”

The tribunal, held at Teesside Magistrates Courts in Middlesbrough, also heard that an investigation by the Metropolitan Police into allegations made by a former officer would be complete in a matter of weeks.

Mr Spittal said Cleveland Police had asked the Met to investigate claims that former Assistant Chief Constable Sean White ordered senior officers to “destroy” an Asian policeman. Mr White has since retired.