A Muslim policeman removed from his job guarding the Prime Minister on "national security grounds" yesterday launched a claim for compensation.
Firearms officer Amjad Farooq, 40, was transferred from the elite Diplomatic Protection Group on the advice of MI5, after it had carried out vetting checks on him.
Now, in what is believed to be a first for employment tribunals, the hearing into his claim that he suffered racial and religious discrimination is being held behind closed doors on the grounds of national security.
The case centres on concerns over a mosque that PC Farooq and his family attended in Swindon.
Intelligence service vetting is understood to have revealed an alleged link between a former imam at the Jamia Masjid mosque in Swindon and the Sipah-e-Sahaba terror group in Pakistan.
Believed by intelligence agencies to be a part of the Al Qaeda network, Sipah is outlawed in Pakistan and is on the Home Office's list of 15 banned Islamic terror groups in the UK.
PC Farooq insists he did not associate with any radicals at the mosque.
He was appointed after the Metropolitan Police launched a programme to "recruit more black and minority ethnic officers and staff into specialist units".
But he was told he would not be allowed to carry a gun until he had received full counter-terrorism clearance (CTC).
The Met told the officer that they had evidence to justify the refusal of the CTC.
They referred to the fact that two of PC Farooq's five children, sons then aged nine and 11, had attended their local mosque for religious studies when the building was associated with an imam whom the police suspected had links to the Sipah group.
He appealed to the Security Vetting Appeal Panel, which is run by the Cabinet Office, and demanded to know how he had failed the CTC test. But the Met refused to give any details, citing "national security".
Scotland Yard has refused to say publicly why PC Farooq was barred from working in the DPG. But it insists its decision had been "proportionate and justified".
Security sources there were "broad" concerns about PC Farooq's suitability to work in the DPG. "It does not relate just to the mosque," said one.
PC Farooq, now working as a police trainer in central London, is believed to be seeking damages in the region of £25,000.
Central London Employment Tribunal was yesterday due to hear opening speeches by lawyers on both sides.
It is understood a special advocate has been appointed to represent PC Farooq. The lawyer has security clearance to challenge the reasons for transferring the officer from the DPG.
She will be present when, on the grounds of national security, PC Farooq and his legal team will be barred from attending parts of the proceedings.
The outcome of the tribunal will be known in the summer.
