THE highest ranking black woman officer in Greater Manchester Police has settled her racial and sexual discrimination case just days before it was due to be heard at an industrial tribunal.

Chief Inspector Karin Mulligan, who lives in Ramsbottom, has agreed on a undisclosed settlement, which includes £2,000 being donated to a charity of her choice.

Ms Mulligan was pursuing three claims against the chief constable and certain other officers. It is understood her allegations of racial and sexual discrimination centred on her failure to achieve promotion.

At the time of the claims, Ms Mulligan was based at Sedgley Park Police Training College in Prestwich.

A police spokesman said: Greater Manchester Police and Chief Inspector Mulligan are pleased to announce that agreement has been reached over the issues which led to the institution by Chief Inspector Mulligan of employment tribunal claims.

Chief Inspector Mulligan is a highly regarded GMP officer. GMP and Chief Inspector Mulligan are committed to a continuing and fruitful working relationship.

The spokesman added that a review would be carried out to discover what lessons can be learned.

This was the second time Ms Mulligan had taken action against the force.

In 1996, together with a colleague, she took action against an officer about an allegedly sexist poster on show in a police station.

It is understood she received a payout.

No tribunal was held.