Race Discrimination in the workplace

I'm not sure if this is wonderful, or too-far. How about wonderfully too far?
A black police officer sued the British state for being overpromoted on the basis of his race. He says that he was given jobs above his ablility, and that lead to him getting black-marks on his record. This is perfectly understandable, and it happens a lot, but I'm not sure that suing is the best idea...I'm usually against frivolous law-suits. Maybe this will make the point and we won't need any more?