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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."