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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Met is 'no longer racist' - Straw | Met is 'no longer racist' - Straw |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The Metropolitan Police is no longer institutionally racist, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said. | The Metropolitan Police is no longer institutionally racist, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said. |
| His comments came in an interview marking the 10th anniversary of the Macpherson report, published after the murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence. | His comments came in an interview marking the 10th anniversary of the Macpherson report, published after the murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence. |
| It heavily criticised the approach and attitude of the force. | It heavily criticised the approach and attitude of the force. |
| Mr Straw told the BBC: "If you are asking me whether I believe the Met as a whole is still institutionally racist, the answer is no." | Mr Straw told the BBC: "If you are asking me whether I believe the Met as a whole is still institutionally racist, the answer is no." |
| But he admitted there may still be "pockets" of racism in the force. | But he admitted there may still be "pockets" of racism in the force. |
| "If you ask me, do I believe that it's perfect as an institution and that black and Asian people, and indeed women, have the same opportunities in practice as white males, I think the answer is - probably not in some areas," Mr Straw said on the Politics Show. | "If you ask me, do I believe that it's perfect as an institution and that black and Asian people, and indeed women, have the same opportunities in practice as white males, I think the answer is - probably not in some areas," Mr Straw said on the Politics Show. |
| "There may still be pockets of institutional racism." | "There may still be pockets of institutional racism." |
| 'Got worse' | 'Got worse' |
| Stephen Lawrence, 18, was stabbed to death in Eltham, south-east London, in a racist attack by a gang of white youths. No-one has ever been convicted of the murder | Stephen Lawrence, 18, was stabbed to death in Eltham, south-east London, in a racist attack by a gang of white youths. No-one has ever been convicted of the murder |
| The Macpherson Report blamed "a combination of professional incompetence, institutional racism and a failure of leadership" for mistakes in the investigation of the crime. | The Macpherson Report blamed "a combination of professional incompetence, institutional racism and a failure of leadership" for mistakes in the investigation of the crime. |
| A conference is being held on Tuesday to mark the report's anniversary, to be attended by Stephen's mother Doreen, Mr Straw and Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson. | A conference is being held on Tuesday to mark the report's anniversary, to be attended by Stephen's mother Doreen, Mr Straw and Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson. |
| Commander Ali Desai on Jack Straw's comments | |
| Organised by the National Police Improvement Agency, the event will examine what progress has been made over the past decade. | Organised by the National Police Improvement Agency, the event will examine what progress has been made over the past decade. |
| But Commander Ali Desai, President of the National Black Police Association, said the situation had actually got worse. | But Commander Ali Desai, President of the National Black Police Association, said the situation had actually got worse. |
| He is currently suspended from duty following allegations of misconduct and is suing the Metropolitan Police for racial and religious discrimination. | He is currently suspended from duty following allegations of misconduct and is suing the Metropolitan Police for racial and religious discrimination. |
| "We have not got rid of institutional racism and the reason is very simple - there has been lack of leadership and lack of grip, I think within the force and in particular within the police authorities," he said. | "We have not got rid of institutional racism and the reason is very simple - there has been lack of leadership and lack of grip, I think within the force and in particular within the police authorities," he said. |
| "Institutional racism, particularly in the way we deal with our own staff, is still there and it actually got worse." | "Institutional racism, particularly in the way we deal with our own staff, is still there and it actually got worse." |
| But in January the UK's equalities chief, Trevor Phillips, said the accusation of institutionalised racism was no longer appropriate. | But in January the UK's equalities chief, Trevor Phillips, said the accusation of institutionalised racism was no longer appropriate. |
| • The Politics Show is broadcast on BBC1 on Sunday 23 February at 1200 GMT. | • The Politics Show is broadcast on BBC1 on Sunday 23 February at 1200 GMT. |