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MP defends police race criticism MP defends police race criticism
(10 minutes later)
A Conservative MP has defended his criticism to a black police officers' group when he told them their policy on white members could be seen as racism. A Conservative MP has defended his criticism of a black police officers' group when he told them their policy on white members could be seen as racism.
Monmouth MP David Davies said it was a matter of principle to urge the National Black Police Association to let white officers be full members.Monmouth MP David Davies said it was a matter of principle to urge the National Black Police Association to let white officers be full members.
He was slow-handclapped at the York conference and a number walked out.He was slow-handclapped at the York conference and a number walked out.
But the NBPA said the MP, a special constable, was disrespectful, and some members at a local level were white.But the NBPA said the MP, a special constable, was disrespectful, and some members at a local level were white.
Mr Davies said full membership of the association should be open to white officers, and not simply associate membership.Mr Davies said full membership of the association should be open to white officers, and not simply associate membership.
"I did say the association policy of denying full membership to white police officers could be viewed as racism," said Mr DaviesHe also told the conference its policy could suggest that white people care less about racism than people of black, middle eastern or African origin. It got very heated unfortunately but what I said was a matter of principle David Davies, Monmouth MP"I did say the association policy of denying full membership to white police officers could be viewed as racism," said Mr DaviesHe also told the conference its policy could suggest that white people care less about racism than people of black, middle eastern or African origin. It got very heated unfortunately but what I said was a matter of principle David Davies, Monmouth MP
"To me it is a shame that full membership [of the NBPA] is open only to those of black, Asian or Middle Eastern origin. He had told the conference that it was a shame that full membership [of the NBPA] ws open only to those of black, Asian or Middle Eastern origin.
"Tackling racism and unfair treatment of ethnic minorities is something which is taken seriously by members of every race," he added. "Tackling racism and unfair treatment of ethnic minorities is something which is taken seriously by members of every race," he told the conference.
In a question and answer session at the end Mr Davies's comments were likened to those of the British National Party in the 1980s.In a question and answer session at the end Mr Davies's comments were likened to those of the British National Party in the 1980s.
He told delegates: "You invited me to come here, if you wanted someone just to turn up and give the same old speech you should have picked somebody else."He told delegates: "You invited me to come here, if you wanted someone just to turn up and give the same old speech you should have picked somebody else."
'Extremely disrespectful''Extremely disrespectful'
Mr Davies said later: "It got very heated unfortunately but what I said was a matter of principle."Mr Davies said later: "It got very heated unfortunately but what I said was a matter of principle."
A spokesman for the National Black Police Officers Association said: "He was extremely disrespectful to the NBPA and it did cause concern. A spokesman for the National Black Police Association said: "He was extremely disrespectful to the NBPA and it did cause concern.
"The NBPA does not have any individual members. It is made up of local associations and some allow full white membership."The NBPA does not have any individual members. It is made up of local associations and some allow full white membership.
"He was slow-handclapped and about a dozen of our members walked out.""He was slow-handclapped and about a dozen of our members walked out."
Some officers at the conference had expected Mr Davies's namesake, the former shadow home secretary David Davis, to be speaking.Some officers at the conference had expected Mr Davies's namesake, the former shadow home secretary David Davis, to be speaking.
But the NBPA spokesman said the Monmouth MP had been asked because of his role on the commons home affairs committee.But the NBPA spokesman said the Monmouth MP had been asked because of his role on the commons home affairs committee.
"We are going to discuss whether to invite David Davies again," he said. "We are going to discuss whether to inviteDavid Davies again," he said.