A RACE relations chief who was suspended from his post amid claims he breached procedures when buying computer equipment says he may sue his employers.

Mohammed Hanif, director of Hyndburn and Rossendale Racial Equality Council, was suspended last year but has now been reinstated to his £25,000-a-year post.

Auditors from Hyndburn Council compiled an internal report after they were called in to investigate claims that Mr Hanif, of Albert Street, Brierfield, had failed to follow purchasing procedures when buying computers for the group.

Mr Hanif, a Brierfield town councillor and a governor at Walter Street Primary School, Nelson, said: "I have been reinstated by the REC in my capacity as director. This speaks for itself. While I am pleased with my reinstatement, I feel it is too little, too late. I am currently in the process of considering legal action against the organisation."

The REC's executive committee decided not to take disciplinary action and at its final meeting on Wednesday night chairman Bill Goldsmith confirmed that Mr Hanif had been reinstated. Mr Goldsmith said Mr Hanif had cleared his desk and was currently on leave.

The organisation will officially disband on March 31 and its assets are being sold on to new groups. The REC's long-standing financial difficulties are not linked to the computer equipment concerned.

Mr Goldsmith said that computers bought during Mr Hanif's time as director were currently being stored by Lancashire County Council. He said the computers were likely to be returned to East Lancashire Health Authority, which provided a grant to help pay for them.

Coun Russell Davies said: "There has been talk that Mr Hanif is going to sue the REC for slandering his name."

Mr Goldsmith replied: "If he is, then I am not aware."

Earlier this year the Commission for Racial Equality, Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Council and Rossendale Council withdrew a total of £90,000 in funding from the REC.

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