ASIAN police officers at Cleveland Police were subjected to "racial stereotyping which equated them with being terrorists," MPs were told.

An "ongoing and covert operation against all Asian officers" was also undertaken by the force's Professional Standards department, written evidence to the Home Affairs Committee claims.

“Significant concerns have been raised within this evidence and we will be seeking to work with the President to understand some of the facts which led to her presenting her written evidence before the Home Affairs Select Committee.

Janet Hills, the president of the National Black Police Association (NBPA), told the committee of MPs today (Tuesday, April 12) her concerns about the treatment of black and ethnic minority (BME) officers at the Cleveland force were so serious she asked the police watchdog to investigate.

She also referred in a document to the fact that phone records of journalists from The Northern Echo, a solicitor, and a police federation representative were accessed by police to track down a whistleblower, after a front-page story highlighted institutional racism at the force.

However, tonight Cleveland Police said it was seeking to work with Ms Hills to understand some of the points raised in the evidence. 

A spokeswoman said: "Significant concerns have been raised within this evidence and we will be seeking to work with the President to understand some of the facts which led to her presenting her written evidence before the Home Affairs Select Committee.

“Prior to the committee hearing, Temporary Chief Constable Iain Spittal had spoken with the President and sought her engagement in the very important work that the Force is currently taking forward following the outcomes of the recent employment tribunal. He was pleased that she agreed to actively engage with the Force and looks forward to her continued support.”

There are six pending racial discrimination cases being brought by Cleveland Police officers, with a further two civil actions pending rooted in race issues, she told the committee, which held an evidence session on police diversity.

And in damning written evidence to MPs, she dedicated a whole section to Cleveland Police - which she said was "the worst example" of treatment of Asian officers.

In the document, she said: "The NBPA highlights to the committee serious race issues which are prevalent within Cleveland Police.

"The case reveals a... shift in the discrimination faced by Asian police officers; where they are subjected to racial stereotyping which equates them with being terrorists.

"The serious nature of the race issues resulted in the NBPA taking the unprecedented step in referring the Police to the Independent Police Complaints Commission in November 2015.

"This was due to the fact that the Professional Standards Department conducted an on-going and covert operation against all Asian officers.

"Furthermore, the phone records of a whistle blower, a local journalist, solicitor and Police Federation representative were accessed following an article in the media regarding institutional racism at Cleveland Police."

Former firearms and VIP protection officer Nadeem Saddique won a tribunal against Cleveland Police last November after it ruled he suffered racial discrimination and victimisation at work.

In the Home Affairs Committee evidence session at Portcullis House today (Tuesday, April 12), MP Ranil Jayawardena said: "The NBPA said there is a significant issue at Cleveland Police."

Acting West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Dee Collins, who once worked at Cleveland Police, responded: "I think this is very much about relationships.

"I think it is incredibly important not only to talk about the importance of equality but also demonstrate it.

"Since joining West Yorkshire I met with support groups, unions, to not just talk about issues but actually bring people together.

"I used... a degree of experience along the way, perhaps some of which was from Cleveland, that unless you forge the relationships and gain the trust of individuals... it is incredibly difficult to move things forward."

Ms Hills also told the committee yesterday that she would support positive discrimination done "thoughtfully", to increase the numbers of ethnic minority officers across the whole of England and Wales.

In a speech at the NBPA conference in October, Home Secretary Theresa May highlighted four forces - including Durham and North Yorkshire - that she said had no black officers at all, although they do have other ethnic officers.

However, Durham Constabulary disputed her data.