The British Home Office was criticised last night for awarding a six-figure severance package to the head of a government quango who resigned after being convicted of a criminal offence.
Gurbux Singh, chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, stepped down after being fined £500 at Bow Street magistrates' court in central London for using threatening behaviour. The Home Office is believed to have handed him a £115,000 payout - equal to one year's salary.
Singh (51) admitted committing the public order offence outside Lord's cricket ground last month.
He waved his fists at police officers, repeatedly swore and shouted: "I'll have your jobs. F*** off, don't you know who I am? "I know Ian f****** Blair [the deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police]."
As he was being arrested, Singh attempted to headbutt one of the officers and had to be restrained in a neck lock.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mr Norman Baker condemned the decision to grant a pay-off to the race relations campaigner.
"If Mr Singh was a normal public sector worker, he would not be getting compensation, he would be leaving under a cloud," said Mr Baker.
Mr Mark Leech, director of the Institute of Prison Law and founder of ex-offenders' charity, Unlock, said: "I think this is outrageous and completely wrong.
"I fail to see why the taxpayer should pay over £100,000 to someone who by their own admission has committed a criminal offence, and therefore resigns because his job is untenable."
Mr Norman Brennan, director of the Victims of Crime Trust also condemned the Home Office action. "Such payments support the belief amongst many people that certain sections of the community are untouchable when doing wrong," he said. - (PA)