Second senior race equality official resigns

A second senior figure in the Commission for Racial Equality has resigned, just a day after the departure of its chairman, Gurbux Singh.

Dr Mashuq Ally, the head of the CRE in Wales who was suspended in April over allegations of professional misconduct, issued a statement last night to say that he was leaving his post.

An internal inquiry was set up at the Commission in Cardiff regarding the allegations against Dr Ally to see whether there was a case to answer. However, Dr Ally left before the inquiry had reached a finding.

The statement which announced his resignation said: "The CRE can confirm Dr Mashuq Ally has resigned from his post as director of CRE Wales. The CRE has accepted his resignation."

Dr Ally was appointed to the £40,000 job running the commission's revamped body in Wales two years ago. An expert in Islamic affairs, he had previously been an academic at Lampeter University.

On Wednesday, Mr Singh, 51, stepped down as the CRE's national chairman after he was fined £500 at Bow Street magistrates' court in London for threatening behaviour. He had admitted the charge.

It related to an altercation with two police officers outside Lord's cricket ground in London last month after a match between England and India.