A peer hit out at the "outrageous victimisation" of an autistic man in Luton by the police.

Baroness Uddin warned that the treatment of Faruk Ali was "not an isolated incident".

She said people with autism faced "extraordinary difficulties" in obtaining justice and called for them to be treated with respect by the statutory institutions.

Two police officers accused of pursuing Mr Ali before one beat him were cleared of all charges in December.

Bedfordshire Pcs Christopher Thomas and Christopher Pitts were found not guilty of misconduct in a public office by chasing Mr Ali, a 33-year-old man described as having the mental age of a five-year-old, in a police car.

Pc Thomas, 33, of Welwyn Garden City, was also cleared of racially aggravated assault over the incident in Luton.

Judge Francis Sheridan at Aylesbury Crown Court cleared them earlier of perverting the course of justice.

Mr Ali's family said they would consider launching civil proceedings.

In the Lords, Baroness Uddin, a former Labour peer, said although the officers had been cleared an internal police investigation continued.

"Although the jury did not have sufficient evidence to convict the two officers, video and audio footage does remain of the incident which demonstrates the callous, racist attitude of the officers to a very vulnerable and disabled man."

She said: "I'm appalled by such outrageous victimisation of one disabled person, which evidence shows is not an isolated incident."

Justice minister Lord Faulks said the two police officers had been cleared. Both remained suspended pending the outcome of a misconduct investigation.

"In those circumstances it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further.

"However, I have no difficulty at all in saying we expect the highest standards of professionalism in all aspects of policing and I'm happy to condemn any racist or discriminatory behaviour by any officer."

Lord Faulks said the decision whether to take any further action against the officers was a matter for the independent police and crime commissioner and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The minister said the criminal justice system must respond to the challenge of autism and this "very sad" case would help reinforce the importance of being aware of it.