One of Britain's most senior ethnic minority police officers is to face a second trial for alleged corruption.
Commander Ali Dizaei - who has had a controversial history in the Metropolitan Police - was yesterday charged with misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice.
The charges, which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, were announced by the Crown Prosecution Service six years after the £90,000-a-year officer was cleared of similar offences at the Old Bailey.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, was consulted over the case and, according to colleagues, 'fully supports' the decision to put the Iranian-born officer on trial again.
Commander Ali Dizaei was cleared on similar charges six years ago
The decision is a major embarrassment to the Metropolitan Police Authority, which promoted Dizaei to commander only 14 months ago.
Three-times-married Dizaei, 47, who as president of the National Black Police Association has been an outspoken critic of alleged racism at Scotland Yard, was suspended on full pay last September when three separate inquiries were launched into his conduct.
The other probes concern his use of a force credit card and his relationship with a defence solicitor.
The criminal charges follow an investigation by officials at the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The claims are linked to an incident outside the Middle Eastern Yas restaurant in Kensington, West London, in July last year.
Dizaei, who was wearing his police uniform, arrested a young businessman after a row in which he claimed he was poked with the mouthpiece of a hookah water pipe.
The businessman disputed Dizaei's account of the arrest and was not charged with any offence.
As part of the criminal inquiry into Dizaei, investigators examined CCTV footage from the scene.
Solicitor Gaon Hart, of the CPS special crime division, said: 'These charges relate to an incident in which Mr Dizaei arrested a man on allegations including assault. A decision not to charge that individual was made by the CPS in August 2008.
'Following an investigation by the IPCC, a file was submitted to me in November 2008. I asked the IPCC to undertake further inquiries and I received the results of those inquiries this month.'
It is thought the trial will take place early next year but battle lines were being drawn within hours of the CPS announcement yesterday.
Dizaei's close friend Alfred John, the chairman of the Metropolitan Black Police Association, said the allegations were 'outrageous'.
The former electrician - who is a civilian worker, not a police officer - said his friend and colleague was 'fully vindicated' in 2003.
He questioned the motives of his accusers and highlighted the cost to the taxpayer.
Mr John said: 'We will call to account those who use the public purse and the law to settle their personal vendettas.'
Dizaei is being represented by Left-wing barrister Michael Mansfield QC, who is returning to the criminal courts from retirement. His solicitor is Imran Khan, best known for his work with the family of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.
Mr Khan said: 'Commander Dizaei is naturally disappointed with the Crown Prosecution Service's decision.
'He strenuously denies the allegations against him but is confident his name will be cleared.'
Dizaei stood trial at the Old Bailey in 2003 after being accused of perverting the course of justice and misconduct in public office. It was claimed he lied about vandalism to his car. He was cleared on both counts.
The case was brought in the wake of a massive multi-million-pound secret undercover operation known as Operation Helios. Dizaei was awarded £60,000 in compensation and reinstated to the force.
Two years ago he published a book, titled Not One of Us, which went into great detail about Operation Helios, causing further ill-feeling against him inside the force.
Last December, Dizaei launched a race claim of his own against Scotland Yard, claiming 'systematic' discrimination.
Dizaei was formally charged with offences of misconduct in a public office and doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of justice after attending Bishopsgate police station in the City of London yesterday afternoon.
He is due to appear before City of Westminster magistrates on June 3.
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