By News Editor Declan Wilkes

The Metropolitan Black Police Association has severed ties with the forces senior management.

In a show of the deepening crisis at Scotland Yard, the representatives of ethnic minority officers said they would break off from all meetings and have no confidence in top officers.

It is another dramatic escalation of the race row that has engulfed the force.

Less than 24hrs after Diazaei suspension

The move comes less than 24 hours since the suspension of Commander Ali Dizaei over a misconduct investigation.

MBPA members believe he is the victim of a "sustained witch-hunt".

Chairman Alfred John said he and others would only attend meetings concerning the reinstatement of Mr Dizaei.

He said:

"The MBPA are appalled at the action taken against Commander Ali Dizaei. Mr Dizaei has been the victim of what we believe to be the culmination of a sustained witch-hunt.

"Mr Dizaei had not received a single complaint for over four years and yet, within the last three weeks, three complaints have materialised."

The accusations

Dizaei is being probed after claims he advised a defence team on how to fight a Met prosecution. Other claims over an arrest he made while off-duty at a restaurant and over the use of his corporate credit card are also being investigated.

The Metropolitan Police Authority announced the suspension last night after receiving back up from the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

March on Scotland Yard - Escalating row

The MBPA has threatened to march on Scotland Yard over the race row; Members are also considering a "recruitment boycott"

Last week Metropolitan Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, who is suing the force over racism was 'relieved of his command.'

His boss Sir Ian has been directly named by Ghaffur in his lawsuit against his employer of showing race bias. Blair also faces accusations of irregularities in awarding contracts to a friend and the Menezes inquest which begins this month.

This month the forces second top ranking female Asian officer, Yasmin Rehman, a Senior Diversity Director, announced she was suing the Met for racist bullying and victimisation.

Mayor issued Met warning

Also this month Mayor Boris Johnson authorised a letter warning the police force that the case should not interfere with the day-to-day policing of the city.

Johnson has backed Sir Ian's decision saying it is in the best interests of policing in London. He said:

"This is a necessary move in order to restore confidence that the operational efficiency of the Met Police is not compromised.

"Shut up"

Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, touted as replacing Sir Ian, said that it was inappropriate for the row to be conducted in public and said Mr Ghaffur should "shut up". Ghaffur claims he was discriminated against on grounds of race, religion and age.

He also claims he is being sidelined in his role as head of security planning for the 2012 Olympics.

Turmoil at the hierarchy of London policing - low morale, the embattled Chief Commissioner Sir Ian Blair's future, the Jean Charles De Menezes inquest and numerous race employment tribunals are damaging the reputation of British’s biggest police force.