The Muslim News

London, The Times:

ONE of Britain's most senior policemen is proposing to drop the crown from his force's insignia for non-Christian officers after objections from a Muslim recruit.

Ian Blair, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan police, is proposing an alternative badge for Muslim officers and those of other religions in cases where the Christian cross at the top of the crown causes offence to individuals.

The move could result in the St Edward's crown — the constitutional symbol of the political independence of the police — being stripped from the uniforms and helmets of hundreds of officers in all Britain's 51 police areas.

Blair, who is leading a drive to open up his force to ethnic minorities, has asked the Metropolitan Police Authority to consider alternative badging for police and civil staff who object to Christian symbolism.

The move has been prompted by a threatened employment tribunal in which a Muslim traffic warden employed by the Met quit the force after claiming he was unable to wear the symbol of any other faith.

In a letter sent two weeks ago by one of his subordinates to the authority, Blair asks that "thought be given to alternative badging for police and civil staff . . . where an objection to Christian symbols is raised by an individual".

The letter notes the move "will have implications for other forces". Blair intends to raise the issue with the Association of Chief Police Officers. St Edward's Crown, which incorporates a cross, has been a symbol of the monarchy's authority since the 11th century. The police move to downgrade it has brought condemnation from traditionalists.

Tony Arbour, a Tory on the Greater London Authority, said anyone joining the police should keep its traditions. "It is political correctness going mad. If you give in on this, what will be next? Do you change the coinage, which also features the crown?"

Blair is widely considered to be one of Britain's most liberal-minded police chiefs. He was close to Gurbux Singh, former head of the Commission for Racial Equality, who resigned last week after pleading guilty to threatening police officers while drunk.

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