Metropolitan police officers Inspector Bill Cole, from Hertfordshire, and Pc Ken Anderson, from north London, claim they were unfairly sacked from Bramshill training college in 1999.

They were told they faced an investigation for fiddling expenses.

The tribunal in Croydon, south London, heard that an Asian officer in their team was not exposed to the same probe.

I believe that I have been treated less favourably than an Asian officer in similar circumstances Inspector Bill Cole

When the officers brought legal action against their employers, alleging they were victims of discrimination, the tribunal heard they were moved from their jobs.

"I believe that I have been treated less favourably than an Asian officer in similar circumstances," Mr Cole told the tribunal on Tuesday.

During the investigation the officers were moved to backroom jobs and then to Scotland Yard's awards and commendations unit.

The pair are suing the Metropolitan Police for compensation.

Allegations dropped

Mr Cole claimed he was denied access to documents outlining the allegations against him and that personal property that could have backed up his case was removed by investigators and never returned.

Following a meeting in August 2000, the criminal investigation changed to a disciplinary investigation.

All the allegations against the two officers were later dropped.

In October 2001, Mr Cole and Mr Anderson took the Home Office, which had been their employer at the national police training college, to an industrial tribunal in Southampton.

They were awarded compensation for breach of contract over their treatment, but lost their case for racial discrimination.

The hearing was adjourned until Wednesday.