A Muslim woman police officer, who refused to shake hands with the head of the Metropolitan Police on faith grounds, was granted an exemption at a passing-out ceremony where new recruits met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair.
The woman’s refusal was based on her view that her faith prevented her touching a man other than her husband or a close relative. However, she 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.
