The family of a bus driver whose charred remains were found under a Palmers Green railway arch two years ago are suing police over their investigation.

The body of Kester David, 53, of Russell Avenue, Wood Green, was found on July 7, 2010 in Broomfield Lane with 100 per cent burns and detectives decided he took his own life.

But now his family, who believe a third party was involved in his death, have launched legal action against the Metropolitan Police and have called for an independent inquiry after a leaked report to a national newspaper showed a series of errors in the investigation.

Mr David’s mother believes that his death was not investigated properly because he was black.

Detectives had not checked CCTV footage, failed to cross-reference DNA from the scene, did not examine mobile phone evidence and ignored potentially key witnesses, and Mr David’s family believe he was murdered because he was a police informant.

The bus driver had worked at the Arriva bus garage in Wood Green for ten years, and was wearing his uniform when he died.

A coroner returned an open verdict at an inquest last year after a forensic expert said he could not rule out the involvement of someone else in his death.

The move by Mr David’s family follows a catalogue of allegations of racism from members of the public against the force, which led to Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe to declare “there is no place for racism in the Met”.

After last week a recording made by 21-year-old Mauro Demetrio of an officer using racist language when arresting him in south London was made public, it emerged that 18 Met officers and one civilian employee are being investigated over ten serious complaints of racist behaviour.

In a statement, the Met said it was aware of the legal action and had received a complaint from Mr David’s family.

It added: “There have been a number of reviews carried out by senior officers from the borough, and the results of those reviews remain under consideration.

“No evidence of racism has been found during these reviews.”