Policeman's dyslexia ruled a disability.
A police inspector who claims he was discriminated against when taking promotion exams because he suffers from dyslexia has won a landmark legal ruling that the problem can now be classed as a disability.
The Employment Appeal Tribunal, headed by Mr Justice Elias, ruled yesterday that in the eyes of the law Chief Insp David Paterson was "a disabled person".
Mr Paterson and his lawyers will now return to his continuing employment tribunal hearing against Scotland Yard to argue that he suffered discrimination.
His lawyers believe the ruling may have legal ramifications for other areas of employment.
Mr Paterson joined the police in 1983, and in 2004 found he suffered from dyslexia and accused the Met of discriminating against him.
He claimed the force failed to make reasonable adjustments, particularly in the processes for deciding on promotion to superintendent.
The employment tribunal had earlier ruled that Mr Paterson was not disabled. But yesterday's ruling said that because the officer's professional advancement depended upon him sitting examinations, his dyslexia constituted a "substantial" impairment.
By John Steele, Crime Correspondent
26/07/2007
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