Surrey councillors have cleared the police and crime commissioner of treating a former Kingston mayor in a “racially motivated manner” at a meeting held behind closed doors.

Shiraz Mirza had claimed Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Munro’s decision not to renew his contract as an equality and diversity officer was “racially motivated”. His complaint is understood to relate to an overheard phone call.

From July: Surrey police and crime commissioner David Munro investigated over complaint of 'racially-motivated treatment' made by Kingston councillor Shiraz Mirza

The complaints sub-committee of Surrey’s police and crime panel sought an informal resolution to the dispute at meeting on Thursday, September 15.

The full details of the complaint cannot be reported for legal reasons. But a letter sent to Mr Mirza by the sub-committee following last week’s meeting, and seen by this website, shows councillors decided Mr Munro had used the word ‘Asian’ as a “descriptive rather than a derogatory term”.

In the letter, Epsom and Ewell Borough Councillor David Reeve, the chairman of the sub-committee, explained that the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), having considered the complaint, would not be investigating the complaint. The IPCC had instead referred to the sub-committee for an “informal resolution”.

Cllr Reeve added: “The IPCC was clearly of the opinion that a criminal offence had not been committed.”

The PCC’s office said the contract was not renewed for financial reasons and “to ensure that the responsibility for engaging with Surrey’s minority and ethnic communities sits firmly with (the Commissioner)”.

Cllr Mirza said he was “hugely disappointed” by the committee’s decision.

He said: “They’ve just passed me off. They’ve been hiding behind the IPCC.

“They’ve taken three or four months to just look into one word.

“They haven’t looked at it in the context it was said.

“I’m hugely disappointed. It’s distressed me even further.

“I’m looking to see whether there is an opportunity for me to seek a judicial review.”

From July: Reporter kicked out of David Munro 'racially motivated' treatment hearing because it is 'in the public interest' to discuss complaint in secret

Two reporters from this website made representations at sub-committee meetings on Friday, July 29 and Thursday, September 15, arguing taxpayers deserved to know the details of alleged misconduct of an elected paid official. Mr Munro, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey was voted into office in May and is paid an annual salary of £70,000.

But on both occasions sub-committee members voted to exclude the reporters.

Margaret Cooksey, Mole Valley District councillor, was not at the first hearing, but spoke at the second meeting on September 15.

“I always feel that public people should be dealt with in public,” she said.

“It is in the public interest to know that we are all public and above board.”

However, Cllr Cooksey added: “But because there are individuals involved, and (because) one has to protect the information that we have been given in confidence, it would be right to do this with doors closed.”

A spokesman from the PCC’s office said: “David Munro has been made aware the findings of the Surrey Police and Crime Panel Complaints Sub-Committee regarding a complaint from Cllr Shiraz Mirza regarding his decision not to renew the contract between his office and Surrey Partnerships Ltd.

“The PCC has always stated that the decision was based purely on two factors – firstly to reduce costs and secondly to ensure that the responsibility for engaging with Surrey’s minority and ethnic communities sits firmly with himself.

“Since taking office he has already held a number of meetings with groups and individuals representing Surrey’s diverse communities and he will continue to seek advice on equality and diversity matters from the Independent Advisory Group (IAG).”

Surrey Comet:

PCC David Munro said: “I am sorry that Cllr Mirza feels he has suffered personal distress as a result of my decision not to extend the contract with Surrey Partnerships Ltd but I can categorically state that the rationale had absolutely nothing to do with his race.

“Equally the decision should not undermine or devalue the important work that he has evidently undertaken during his time with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner which I thank him for.

“The decision was taken in the best interests of the Surrey public and is one that I stand by. I have already had a number of really positive meetings with groups and individuals representing Surrey’s many diverse communities and I look forward to further building upon these relationships in the future.”