WILTSHIRE Police have confirmed that they will not appeal against a decision by an employment tribunal which found they had racially discriminated a black police officer.

A decision earlier this month found that PC Ronnie Lungu had been turned down for promotion due to the colour of his skin.

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson, welcomed the decision decision not to challenge the ruling.

He said: “I have read the tribunal’s judgment and I am pleased that the force has decided not to appeal. It’s the right decision.

“The organisation needs to accept the findings and to set about making changes which will convince ethnic minority communities in Wiltshire and Swindon that it is committed to equal opportunity and diversity.

“I have asked that this matter is brought back to my board monthly so that I can be assured that the force is learning lessons from this case.”

In a statement Wiltshire Police added: "This case has shown that we cannot be complacent and the organisation must continue to learn. We shall now begin the process of assessing what the next steps are and how we can take this learning forward.”