Norman: I haven't been paid any money by anyone

By Jude Townend

IN AN interview with Islington Now, former Islington Borough Commander DCS Barry Norman claimed he had not yet been paid any money from the Metropolitan Police as a race payout.
He said: “I haven’t been paid any money by anybody,” but added that he may yet receive compensation.
The ex-Borough Commander of Islington, who now heads a high-profile violent crime task force, led a corruption investigation into Chief Superintendent Ali Dizaei in 2003, which resulted in an Old Bailey trial.
Chief Superintendent Dizaei was later acquitted and subsequently awarded a £60,000 pay out. Documents leaked this week indicated that the former commander would receive £40,000 compensation as a result of allegations of racism made against him during the inquiry.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police Association (MPA) confirmed the proposed payment to Mr Norman saying it was justified and appropriate.
“The proposal to make a payment to an officer, relating to a claim we understood he would bring, was discussed by members at great length and in private, as is always the case when matters relating to an individual officer are brought to the Authority. Agreement to a one-off payment was considered to be both justified and the most appropriate course of action.”
On Wednesday night, however, DCS Barry Norman dismissed suggestions that the case would damage his future.
“It is just an episode in one’s career. These things happen - keep moving. That’s it really.”
He said: “It’s always disappointing when things that are confidential leak into the press.
“I was fully aware [of the suggested payment], of course. I don’t think it is something I’m prepared to discuss any further than that.”
After a meeting this week with Martin Tiplady, the head of human resources at Scotland Yard, the Metropolitan Black Police Association have withdrawn their original statement threatening legal action against Scotland Yard. They will, however, still write a letter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) regarding the payment due to be made to Mr Barry Norman.
IPCC spokesperson, Poppy Turner, told Islington Now: “We have not received a complaint as yet. Until we are aware of a complaint we cannot say how it will be dealt with.
“At the time of Operation Helios, complaints were made but we dealt with those in 2004. That has been done and dusted.
“A complaint has to be made in regards to a specific instance of police misconduct.”
But she said it was not within their remit to provide advice. “We wouldn’t encourage them [the Met BPA] to make a complaint.”
Tracy Gittens of the Met BPA said: “We are seeking advice and further compensation from them [the IPCC].”
Dr Dizaei, an Iranian born Muslim, has recently hit the headlines with publication of his autobiography last Monday, ‘Not One Of Us’ in which he claims he was targeted in the police investigation because of his race and colour and lays much of the blame on DCS Norman.