A POLICE officer has been charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Northumbria PC Jeffrey Sidhu, 41, has been suspended from duty and is expected to appear before North Tyneside magistrates tomorrow.

He is jointly charged with his ex-partner and mother of his baby, Debra Milburn, 38, of Wallsend, North Tyneside.

It is understood the charge relates to a speeding ticket.

PC Sidhu was based in Gateshead but, following his split with Ms Milburn, has gone back to live with his parents in Gosforth, Newcastle.

Last year, he lost a race discrimination tribunal against Northumbria Police.

PC Sidhu claimed the victimisation began while he was doing his training in 1992 and said he had been subjected to a racial taunt from colleague, PC Lance Wilson, at a retirement party in 1996.

He also alleged colleagues had urinated on his bed and made threats of violence.

However, in a unanimous decision, the panel said: "We cannot find that, as a fact, PC Sidhu has shown that PC Wilson used the words he is alleged to have used at the police club."

It also said there was no evidence to support the allegation of racial discrimination during the firearms course.

PC Sidhu returned to the beat in May last year, but has since been suspended pending the outcome of the court case.

Tony Smikle, a close friend of Sidhu and a former representative of the National Black Police Association (NBPA), said: "Sidhu fully disputes the allegations and his plea will reflect that because he has done nothing wrong."