NO CHALLENGE will be brought to the ruling in a race discrimination case which found against Wiltshire Police.

The case, described as “very damaging” by Wiltshire and Swindon’s Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson, ruled that Pc Ronnie Lungu, 40, had been discriminated against because of his skin colour.

PC Lungu, who joined the force in 2003 after moving to England from Zimbabwe, had been the only black officer out of 20 who had been seeking permanent promotion, having been temporarily promoted in 2013.

The tribunal ruled that Mr Lungu’s internal assessments had been specifically downgraded in order to make him appear unworthy of promotion.

A police spokesman said: "Wiltshire Police will not be appealing the judgment.

"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.”

Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson, 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.”

The legal representation for cases such as this are funded by Wiltshire Police federation, a body that represents police officers from the rank of Constable to Chief Inspector.

Mike White, Chair of Wiltshire Police Federation, and Pc Lungu’s Police Federation representative said that the judgement had sent a stark message to Wiltshire Police’s leadership.

He added: “It takes special people, like Ronnie Lungu, to stand up and challenge such behaviours and I applaud his bravery in doing so.”

“It was the Police Federation that took Ronnie’s issues seriously and provided him with access to legal advice and representation.

“We welcome the findings of the tribunal and will work with Wiltshire Police to ensure this cannot happen again.”