A Bradford Council officer is understood to have agreed a settlement with the authority over a complaint of race discrimination which was due to go to an industrial tribunal.

But it is understood a gagging clause may have been agreed in negotiations between Mohammed Masood and the Council.

Mr Masood, the former Bradford West Area Panel co-ordinator who was one of the Council's most senior Asian officers, hit the headlines last year when a major campaign was set up to fight for his reinstatement after he was sacked for the alleged harassment of a member of staff.

The Council re-employed him after an internal hearing but it is understood he is currently in another job.

The tribunal involved an entirely separate allegation - not involving the sacking - in which Mr Masood claimed he was a victim of race discrimination by the Council and one of its top officers. The tribunal was deferred last month when the panel was told a settlement was being negotiated through the Arbitration, Conciliation and Advisory Service.

Now it is understood that a four-figure settlement has been agreed and it is believed the Council, which used an external solicitor, has legal fees running into five figures to meet.

Today Shamsuddin Ahmed, of the Bradford Racial Equality Council, which represented Mr Masood would not discuss the case. Mr Masood said he could not comment.

Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said he could not discuss a staff matter.

Mr Masood was heavily involved in the successful bid for SRB funding for Manningham and Girlington before his sacking.

He also helped the high-powered Commission in its examination of the causes of the Manningham riots in 1995.

Deputy leader of the Tory group, Councillor Richard Wightman, said: "This apparent development is a sign Bradford Council has not yet broken the vicious circle of poor industrial relations. I shall be pressing the Chief Executive for details and an indication of management actions."

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