A SOLDIER who claimed he was a victim of racial abuse while serving in the Army has been given the go-ahead to continue his fight.

After a preliminary hearing an industrial tribunal decided it did have jurisdiction in the race discrimination case brought by Nasar Abid Khan against the Ministry of Defence.

There will now be a full hearing of the case at a Manchester industrial tribunal on a later date.

The 12th Regiment Royal Artillery bombardier, formerly from Blackburn but now living in Manchester, claimed be was subjected to racial harassment and abuse and that although he reported the harassment, nothing was done.

The MoD contended the tribunal had no jurisdiction to hear the full case and that because the alleged incidents took place between 1988 and 1996, the complaints had been brought outside the normal time limit.

But, after considering legal arguments, tribunal chairman Mrs Carol Porter decided there was jurisdiction and the case could go ahead.

Bombardier Khan, who served in Germany and the Gulf, is presently awaiting a medical discharge after suffering a spinal injury while serving with special forces.

He claims he was subjected to harassment and abuse, despite complaining to senior officers.

The tribunal decided the case could proceed to a full hearing because the alleged discrimination had been a "continuing act" as Mr Khan contended.

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