A CLAIM by Kingston Lib Dem county councillor Shiraz Mirza that the Surrey Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) treated him “in a racially motivated manner” causing him “personal distress”, will be heard by the force’s crime scrutiny panel tomorrow (Friday).

Tory county and borough councillor David Munro, from Farnham, was voted in as Surrey PCC in May.

He has since resigned from Surrey and Waverley councils prompting by-elections for both seats on Thursday, August 18.

Mr Mirza, a Pakistani-born Muslim, served as Kingston’s first Asian mayor in 2000 and again in 2007. He was hired by former 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.

Mr Mirza lodged his “racially motivated” allegation with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which asked the panel to review it, following Mr Munro’s decision to abolish the role of special adviser on equalities and diversity.

The panel summarised his complaint as “the commissioner has treated you in a racially motivated manner which in turn has caused you personal distress”.

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. Explaining the reasons for the decision to abolish Mr Mirza’s role, he said: “The PCC 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.”