AN investigation by Surrey Police’s crime scrutiny panel into claims by Kingston Lib Dem county councillor Shiraz Mirza that the Surrey Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Munro treated him “in a racially motivated manner”, has been adjourned to seek further advice from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Mr Mirza, a Pakistani-born Muslim who served as Kingston’s first Asian mayor in 2000 and again in 2007, was hired by former Surrey PCC Kevin Hurley in 2013 as a special adviser on equalities and diversity. His work included helping Surrey Police recruit black and ethnic minority officers, securing funding for the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum, and working with Prevent officers to intervene in cases of young men being groomed for terrorism.

However, upon being elected Surrey’s new PCC in May, former Tory Farnham county and borough councillor Mr Munro abolished the role - prompting Mr Mirza to lodge a “racially motivated” allegation with the IPCC which subsequently asked the Surrey Police and Crime Panel to review it.

The panel summarised Mr Mirza’s complaint as “that the Commissioner has treated you in a racially motivated manner which in turn has caused you personal distress” and tasked its complaints sub-committee to discuss the complaint last Friday, July 29.

But speaking to The Herald this week, chairman of the panel Dorothy Ross-Tomlin confirmed the panel has adjourned its discussion to seek clarification from the IPCC on its decision before taking further action.

Explaining the grounds for his complaint prior to the meeting, Mr Mirza said: “I never spoke to David Munro about what I did, what I achieved in the role or whether he wanted to know anything from me about my work.

“I was very upset. All I have done is dedicate my life to my community work. Who’s going to look after the people I’m leaving behind?”.

Mr Munro declined to comment on the claim but, explaining the reasons for the decision to abolish Mr Mirza’s role, he said: “The PCC for Surrey is keen to build relationships with all of Surrey’s minority and ethnic communities himself, and as such no longer requires a consultant to attend meetings with minority groups on his behalf.

“The PCC will seek advice on equality and diversity matters from the Independent Advisory Group, which was set up 15 years ago in the wake of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. This volunteer group includes representatives from minority groups across Surrey, and as such will give the PCC an insight into a much wider range of communities.”