Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Politics: Race law will allow police to be sued

Jason Bennetto Crime Correspondent
Friday 03 December 1999 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

POLICE OFFICERS who are overtly racist to the public could be sued under proposed changes to the race relations laws announced yesterday, .

Black and Asian people who are repeatedly stopped and searched because of their colour, or who suffer racist abuse, will be able to take civil action in the county courts for the first time. Under the Race Relations (Amendment) Bill, published yesterday, the existing 1976 Race Relations Act will be extended to cover public authorities, such as the police, the prison service, and mental health carers.

But the Commission for Racial Equality, the Government's race watchdog, attacked the proposals, arguing that they were greatly flawed and were likely to lead to only a very small number of successful civil actions.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in