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Boris Johnson news – live: Race report experts ‘never consulted’ as Doreen Lawrence says findings fuel racism

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Jane Dalton,Vincent Wood,Chantal da Silva
Thursday 01 April 2021 13:07 EDT
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Boris Johnson reacts to resignation of aide in wake of race disparities report

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Two authors identified as stakeholders in a landmark report on race disparities in Britain are objecting to being listed as providing evidence for it, with one protesting: “I was never consulted”.

S I Martin said: ““I just would not have agreed to have been consulted even if I had been asked, but I’ve not been asked.” Meanwhile, Stephen Bourne toldThe Independent he felt “manipulated”.

The government has since said it will remove Mr MArtin’s name from the report, but defended inclusion of Mr Bourne as he had “participated in a 10 Downing Street event for Black History Month”.

The government is facing major backlash over the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities’ report, which concluded that Britain was no longer a country where the system is deliberately rigged against ethnic minorities.

Doreen Lawrence, who has dedicated nearly two decades to demanding justice after her son Stephen was murdered in a racist attack, has said the report gives “racists the green light”.

Amid the row, Boris Johnson’s most senior Black adviser is expected to resign from his role next month after previously describing tensions within government as “unbearable”.

Downing Street sources have rejected the suggestion that Samuel Kasumu’s resignation was linked to the report.

Meanwhile the government is facing legal action over links between personal protective equipment and alleged modern slavery.

Wilson Solicitors, a London firm, has written to the DHSC raising concerns over how gloves made by Malaysian manufacturers with a history of exploiting workers have been provided to frontline healthcare staff.

Alex Salmond demands new Alba Party joins Scottish election TV debates

Alex Salmond has stated that it would be “unanswerable” to not include his new Alba Party in TV debates for the upcoming Scottish Parliament Elections.

More below:

Alex Salmond demands new Alba Party joins Scottish election TV debates

The Alba Party was not included in the first televised debate of the Scottish election campaign

Vincent Wood1 April 2021 16:40

Government to remove name of 'contributor’ from race report

The government has said it will remove S.I Martin from its report on racial disparities after he said he had not been consulted on the document despite being identified as a stakeholder.

Here is our own Ashley Cowburn:

And here’s the full story:

Experts named in government’s ‘flawed’ race report ‘shocked’ to see names in evidence contributor list

Exclusive: ‘I was never consulted, I don’t know what record they have of contacting me’

Vincent Wood1 April 2021 16:54

Critics launch on Sturgeon suggestion second independence referendum could be held before Covid recovery

Nicola Sturgeon has come under fire after she conceded a second Scottish independence vote could be held while the country is still trying to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

The First Minister and SNP leader ruled out having a fresh ballot on the issue during the “acute phase of the pandemic”.

But having said already she would like to see a referendum take place in the first half of the next Holyrood term, Ms Sturgeon said that could happen “when we are clearly in the recovery phase”.

Her comments attracted criticism from the leaders of the pro-UK parties, with Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross saying: “This is the clearest sign yet that the SNP will put another referendum before Scotland’s recovery.”

He said: “Nicola Sturgeon talks of Alex Salmond being a betting man but she’s willing to gamble Scotland’s recovery on a reckless plan to break up the country.”

Vincent Wood1 April 2021 17:39

Experts named in government’s ‘flawed’ race report ‘shocked’ to see names in evidence contributor list

In case you missed it here’s today’s big story - Two authors named as “stakeholders” in a landmark report into race disparities in Britain have hit out at claims they provided evidence, with one protesting: “I was never consulted”. Our reporters have the exclusive:

Experts named in government’s ‘flawed’ race report ‘shocked’ to see names in evidence contributor list

Exclusive: ‘I was never consulted, I don’t know what record they have of contacting me’

Vincent Wood1 April 2021 17:55

That’s all from us, thanks for following

Vincent Wood1 April 2021 18:07

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