CPS under fire as reports follow tribunal hearing

A date for the full tribunal hearing into claims by Crown Prosecution Service solicitor Rav Johal that his employers discriminated against him on grounds of race is expected in the next few days, forming part of a potentially damaging week for the CPS.In addition, the final report by academic Sylvia Denman - asked by the CPS to investigate institutional racism at the organisation - is expected imminently, and a report by the Commission for Racial Equality into the alleged segregation of black and white solicitors at the CPS's Croydon office is expected to follow shortly afterwards.Mr Johal worked for the CPS in Wolverhampton since 1991, but now works in the London office and lives in temporary housing as a direct result of the claimed racism.

He said he regretted taking the case against the CPS, but there had been serious management failures locally and among senior leadership in London.A preliminary hearing in May into Mr Johal's accusations of dis-crimination found that his application had been brought within time, and that it would be listed for a substantive hearing - to be held in Birmingham.Mr Johal is represented by the First Division Association and byLondon firm Thompsons.A spokesman for the CRE said it 'expected to receive the Denman report in the near future', and will take action after reviewing this and the Croydon report - described as being 'close to conclusion'.

Both reports are expected to be highly critical of the CPS.He said: 'We at the CRE are not in the business of undermining public bodies that require public confidence, but there is major cause for concern.'The CPS declined to comment on the issues.Andrew Towler