Scotland Yard was forced to defend its decision to excuse a Muslim policeman from guarding the Israeli embassy after senior officers were accused of setting a "dangerous precedent".
Commissioner Sir Ian Blair had ordered an urgent review of the decision to allow Pc Alexander Omar Basha special dispensation following claims that he had asked to be moved because he objected to the bombing of Lebanon.
However, the force later insisted the granting of his request was nothing to do with political correctness, and was based on "risk and safety" rather than the officer's personal views.
The decision to excuse Pc Basha, which was taken in August, sparked a fierce row, with critics accusing the Met of a "serious error of judgment".
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) also demanded an explanation, saying it risked undermining confidence in the police.
Senior Jewish figures called it a "grave error" and said police officers had a moral responsibility to protect all British citizens.
However, others described the story as a "ridiculous fuss over nothing". Sources said the officer, who has a Syrian father and a Lebanese wife, had not refused the posting on moral grounds.
He was apparently willing to take up the posting but was concerned about the safety implications for his family if he was spotted guarding the embassy. It also emerged that the incident related to just one two-hour slot outside the embassy, which was not on the officer's usual duty rota, on one particular day.
The Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents the force's rank-and-file officers, said Pc Basha had simply made a polite request, and claims that he refused to guard the embassy were "completely wrong".
Superintendent Dal Babu, chairman of the Association of Muslim Police, said the officer had felt "uncomfortable and unsafe" guarding the embassy during the Lebanon conflict as he had relatives in the country. It was about the welfare of an individual, and not a moral issue, he said.
