This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/6496603.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Race probe over Mandela costume | Race probe over Mandela costume |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A Tory councillor has been reported to the Commission for Racial Equality after he used make up to colour his face and posed as Nelson Mandela. | A Tory councillor has been reported to the Commission for Racial Equality after he used make up to colour his face and posed as Nelson Mandela. |
The row erupted after Brian Gordon sent a picture of himself in fancy dress to a reporter on a local newspaper. | The row erupted after Brian Gordon sent a picture of himself in fancy dress to a reporter on a local newspaper. |
He refused to comment on the photo which was taken during the Jewish festival of Purim earlier this month. | He refused to comment on the photo which was taken during the Jewish festival of Purim earlier this month. |
Local Lib Dem activist Stieve de Lance has been leading calls for his sacking from Tory-run Barnet in north London. | Local Lib Dem activist Stieve de Lance has been leading calls for his sacking from Tory-run Barnet in north London. |
Mr Gordon, who has been a councillor for nine years, attended the private party where it is a long-standing tradition to arrive in fancy dress. | Mr Gordon, who has been a councillor for nine years, attended the private party where it is a long-standing tradition to arrive in fancy dress. |
'Potential impact' | |
He wore a Dashiki shirt, a beaded necklace and a traditional African hat. | He wore a Dashiki shirt, a beaded necklace and a traditional African hat. |
Ms de Lance said: "Just like Patrick Mercer he should be sacked immediately. You can't as a person in a position of respect in the community do these things and hope to get away with it." | Ms de Lance said: "Just like Patrick Mercer he should be sacked immediately. You can't as a person in a position of respect in the community do these things and hope to get away with it." |
Tory MP Patrick Mercer was fired as Shadow homeland security spokesman after his comments about ethnic minorities in the Army. | Tory MP Patrick Mercer was fired as Shadow homeland security spokesman after his comments about ethnic minorities in the Army. |
But Conservative leader of Barnet Council Mike Freer said: "Brian Gordon is a long standing councillor and has served his local area irrespective of race or religion. There's a tradition within this festival of dressing up and in the past Brian has dressed up as world leaders including Tony Blair. | But Conservative leader of Barnet Council Mike Freer said: "Brian Gordon is a long standing councillor and has served his local area irrespective of race or religion. There's a tradition within this festival of dressing up and in the past Brian has dressed up as world leaders including Tony Blair. |
"Are we therefore saying that you can only dress up as white world leaders if you're white?" | "Are we therefore saying that you can only dress up as white world leaders if you're white?" |
He added: "Barnet Council has beacon status for community cohesion. The mix on the council reflects that of the wider community. We don't have any problems and I would very angry if people are seeking to create divisions that don't exist." | He added: "Barnet Council has beacon status for community cohesion. The mix on the council reflects that of the wider community. We don't have any problems and I would very angry if people are seeking to create divisions that don't exist." |
A spokesman for the CRE said: "Councillors must be aware of the potential impact of their behaviour. Good council leadership is essential in managing the differences in our increasingly diverse communities as councils have a duty to promote good race relations." | A spokesman for the CRE said: "Councillors must be aware of the potential impact of their behaviour. Good council leadership is essential in managing the differences in our increasingly diverse communities as councils have a duty to promote good race relations." |
Previous version
1
Next version