MUSLIM groups have defended the decision of a young muslim policewoman not to shake the hand of Sir Ian Blair.

The woman made a special request on religious grounds not to shake the hand of Britain's top policeman during a ceremony in London to mark the start of probation for 200 officers.

According to her beliefs, it is forbidden to touch a man who is not a relative or spouse.

"She obviously didn't set out to insult the man," a spokesperson for the London Muslim Centre said.

He insists that being Muslim would never interfere with an officer's duties: "If she needed to arrest someone in the street, she wouldn't have to worry at all," he said.

Scotland Yard granted the request to "minimise any disruption to others' enjoyment" and "ensure the smooth running of what is one of the most important events in an officer's career."

A Metropolitan police spokeswoman said: "The officer maintains that she puts the requirements of being a police officer above her personal beliefs and only exercises the latter when she has choice to do so.

"Any refusal to engage in this manner would not be tolerated by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)."

The woman has begun patrols in West London as part of her two-year probation, during which time her superiors must decide if she is suitable for a permanent position.

She caused further controversy by reportedly asking not to be photographed with the commissioner for "propaganda purposes".

The Met has actively tried to recruit Muslim officers, who make up less than one per cent of the force's 35,000 officers.

Fewer than twenty are Muslim women.

The MPS has said that disciplinary action against the officer is "still under consideration".

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