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Race body throws out misconduct charge

1/10/2002

THE head of a leading North West race relations body has been cleared of 'gross misconduct'.

The Director of Blackburn Race Equality Council Abdul Chowdry has been told he can return to work right away after suffering weeks of suspension.

Mr Chowdry, aged 58 and a former Rochdale town councillor, was suspended after an REC employee claimed he divulged confidential information about her to a former employer. But at a special meeting of the REC's executive committee the charge was thrown out.

The committee heard that the Manchester-based Immigration Advisory Service was defending a case of wrongful dismissal against a Parveen Shahbaz. She had left the service and accepted a new post with the REC. Part of the evidence that went before an employment tribunal hearing involved the precise starting date of her new employment at the REC.

Mr Chowdry's accusers claimed he had given this information and this was a breach of confidence. But an investigation concluded that the information was not confidential and that it was perfectly proper for it to be passed on to a former employer.

Speaking from his Rochdale home Mr Chowdry said he was "relieved and delighted" at the outcome of the investigation.

"This has been a very difficult time for me. I want to get back to work and tackle the real problems of creating better race relations in Blackburn. I have no animosity against others and would like to thank members of the executive committee, the council and the police for their support."

Mr Chowdry's re-instatement closely follows the resignation of the REC chairman Saleem Najia and vice-chairman Janaid Quraishi. They have been replaced by Jamal Patel and Gulzamit Ahmed respectively.