The Metropolitan Police faces a new inquiry into discrimination in its ranks, ten years after it was accused of institutional racism in the report into the murder of Stephen Lawrence.And we all remember what a stunning success the first one was….
The Race and Faith Inquiry opens tomorrow to examine why black and ethnic minority officers are more likely to leave the force and are less successful in gaining promotion than their white counterparts.That clucking sound you hear? Chickens coming home to roost.
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, set up the inquiry in response to a series of high-profile race disputes that undermined the leadership of Sir Ian Blair as Commissioner of the Met.
Because look who’s appearing:
Tarique Ghaffur, a former assistant commissioner who received a £300,000 payoff after accusing Sir Ian of discrimination, will be the first witness. His testimony, which he will be allowed to give in secret, comes at a time when the Met is trying to make a fresh start under Sir Paul Stephenson. The race inquiry also coincides with the Runnymede Trust’s review of the police service’s progress in tackling racism since Sir William Macpherson published his report into the death of Mr Lawrence.Doesn’t Ghaffur have some history with the new Met top man?
Why, indeed he does:
Mr Ghaffur was Britain’s highest-ranking Asian police officer when he accused Sir Ian of racism. He said that his case was “to do with my treatment at the highest levels of the Met, in particular discrimination by the Commissioner”. Sir Paul, then Deputy Commissioner, responded tersely: “I think it is long past time that we all shut up, stop making public statements about private disputes and get on with the job we are paid to do.”Ooooh, regretting that comment now, Sir Paul?
Mr Ghaffur then accused Sir Paul of intimidation and said that he was “extremely concerned for my personal safety”. He settled his claim in November after withdrawing his allegations against Sir Ian and agreeing to a confidentiality clause.Which presumably won’t apply to his evidence to the inquiry, hence the reason for it to be held in secret?
The Runnymede Trust report contradicted the argument by Trevor Phillips, head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, that the police could no longer be accused of institutional racism. It said that the service had difficulty in recruiting, retaining and progressing officers from black and Asian communities.Perhaps because, in an effort to concentrate on numbers, they haven’t considered the quality of their recruits?
The head of the enquiry, Ms Cindy Butts is an interesting study. Bears a bit of research, but only if you're in a very good mood.
ReplyDeleteStay away from anything to do with The Met, the MPA , the BPA, Race, Faith and Policing. That way madness lies.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing it does is 'big up' a bunch of people who would otherwise struggle to keep a job at Tescos, and by that I'm not having a pop at anyone who does work for Tescos et al.
Still it's keeping them away from those who do want to try and do a fair days work for a fair day's pay.
They'd be better off donning a Hi-Viz and going on patrol, at least try and prove they can be a police officer first and foremost, a decent PCSO even. But where would their status come from then.
I also think of 'Porn Star' when I read/hear the name 'Cindy Butts' - but then that's just me surely?
It's almost 10 years to the day since the McPherson enquiry was launched, good to know that the "institutional racism" gravy train is still ongoing.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised to gather from this biography that it's highly doubtful that Cindy Butts has done a day's work outside the race-hustling industry since she graduated from SOAS. The biography also notes that one of her interests, as a member of the MPA, is in "Citizen Focused policing". I would also not be surprised to learn that this interest of hers would not include white "citizens".
ReplyDeleteIs this yet another instance of Boris's inattention to detail ?
ReplyDeleteIf he 'set up' this new enquiry (or this exercise in self hatred, if you are a white Londoner)could he not at least have ensured it wasn't stuffed to the gills with right thinking NuLab types ?
Cindy Butts- ex researcher to 2NuLab MP's
Richard Stone- previously an 'advisor' to the Macpherson inquiry(whom God preserve)
Anthony Julius- Divorce lawyer and NuLab Hasbaraista par excellence
I notice that of the 4 members of the panel three are apparently black and the fourth is a Jew. I suppose a "wasp" would, by definition, be racist and faithphobic.
ReplyDeleteJust a random search reveals that one of the panel-members - Margaret Blankson - is a consultant to the Jason Roberts Foundation which was founded in 2007 and, as yet, has failed to register any financial records with the Charity Commission. The Foundation is, in fact, 111 days overdue. Maybe Ms Blankson should use her influence and knowledge to assist the Foundation to observe the law.
After all Ms Blankson is director of a "consultancy specialising in regeneration, urban development, youth engagement and participation." Strangely though, the accounts of this company (Malvern Associates Limited) are also overdue - this time by more than 9 months. Apparently being sloppy with legal observance (well the Companies Acts anyway) does not disqualify you from sitting on panels of quasi-legal enquiries. Obviously, the law only applies to the "little people" and those not having a career based on race-hustling.
BTW Ms Blankson, before establishing her consultancy, "spent over 17 years working in Local Government, latterly heading the [unidentified] Council's Equalities and Community Liaison Department and ending her local Government career as a Senior Education Officer." In other words: a (probably) generously rewarded career in public "service" but, in reality, featuring not one day's work in the real world and all at the taxpayers' expense. It's nice work if you can get it and, while we're discussing discrimination on the grounds of race and/or faith, it always helps to be the right colour.
"The head of the enquiry, Ms Cindy Butts is an interesting study."
ReplyDeleteOh, indeed. I was thinking the name rang a vague bell. I see Umbongo's dug out the grisly deatils.
"They'd be better off donning a Hi-Viz and going on patrol.."
Heh. That, I'd pay to see on 'Police, Camera, Action!'...
"I also think of 'Porn Star' when I read/hear the name 'Cindy Butts' - but then that's just me surely?"
Now you come to mention it... ;)
"Is this yet another instance of Boris's inattention to detail ?
If he 'set up' this new enquiry (or this exercise in self hatred, if you are a white Londoner)could he not at least have ensured it wasn't stuffed to the gills with right thinking NuLab types ?"
Would be nice, wouldn't it? I'm assuming he had to fish in a very small pool, though.
"..failed to register any financial records with the Charity Commission..."
I'm sure they'll be down on her like a ton of bricks. Any day now.
*sigh* Are all our watchdogs toothless?
"Are all our watchdogs toothless?"
ReplyDeleteNot when it comes to the normally law-biding - then the watchdogs go into hypermode
xxx The Race and Faith Inquiry opens tomorrow to examine why black and ethnic minority officers are more likely to leave the force and are less successful in gaining promotion than their white counterparts.xxx
ReplyDeleteAnd of curse NO one will be allowed to point out it is because basically they are lazy bastards and as thick as pig shit, will they?
I have stood at too many jobs having to work my bloody arse off whilst this sort are spending the part of the shift where they are not on lunch break, either "on fag break" or standing around with their thumbs up their arse talking to each other.
You complain it is YOU that is in front of the boss for "racism".
Von Brandenburg-Preußen