News: Diversity & multiculturalism

29.06.2004 An investigation is underway into a leaflet published by the Welsh Labour Party. The leaflet allegedly called on people not to vote for the Liberal Democrats because they supported a permanent Traveller site in Cardiff.

28.06.2004 Commission for Racial Equality chief Trevor Phillips is facing calls from black community leaders to come out against the single equality body. As opposition in Westminster grows, activists are hopeful Phillips will reflect the hostility of Black communities towards the governments’ proposals.

25.06.2004 Gypsies living at the Payne's Lane site, on the edge of the Lea Valley Park, north-east London, are being threatened with prison by Epping Forest District Council if they do not leave. Three BNP councillors were recently elected promising to evict Gypsies.

23.06.2004 A mentally ill patient who died after being restrained last month might still be alive today if government guidelines on restraint had been agreed, experts believe.

18.06.2004 On 25 May 2004, Mahmood Siddiqui, a 59-year-old postal worker at the Royal Mail sorting office in Harlow, was awarded £178,542 in compensation for racial discrimination by an employment tribunal.

17.06.2004 On May 28, 24-year-old Azrar Ayub, a patient at the secure Edenfield Unit at Prestwich hospital near Manchester was found dead after being sedated and restrained by staff at the hospital.

16.06.2004 The BNP has failed to make a major electoral breakthrough, partly because the anti-immigrant vote was split with UKIP and partly because of a strong, united anti-BNP campaign.

16.06.2004 Scotland Yard is to set up a specialist team to deal with soaring crime in London's south Asian communities, Metropolitan police assistant commissioner Tarique Ghaffur has announced.

14.06.2004 Police forces and even the authorities meant to ensure they obey the law should face legal action for breaking race equality legislation, a Commission for Racial Equality report will say.

09.06.2004 London Mayor Ken Livingstone has soared to a 40-point lead amongst black and minority ethnic voters according to a Blink online poll, in which more than 500 people voted.

08.06.2004 The British state education system is failing to meet the needs of Muslim pupils and parents, according to a report calling for special classes in Islamic subjects, more single-sex education and prayer rooms in secondary schools.

08.06.2004 Trevor Phillips, chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, is urging British voters to put up the "no racist need apply" sign for the forthcoming local and European elections.

04.06.2004 The Imperial Gardens "talent factory" in south London, which has supported many black music artists, is launching a campaign music CD to save itself from eviction. The protest follows plans from Southwark Council to redevelop the site where the Imperial Gardens club and 25 other black-owned business units are based.

01.06.2004 Conservative leader Michael Howard has mounted an astonishing raid on the traditionally Labour-supporting Black and Asian vote ahead of the European and regional elections.