Sarwar: Taking the knee is NOT enough

SCOTLAND’S top civil servant has been criticised over the Government’s record in employing people from ethnic minorities.

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar accused Leslie Evans of leading one of the most “chronically under-representative” bodies.

He blasted: “What action are you taking to address that?”

Evans, the permanent secretary, was mocked on social media after “taking the knee” in support of the #blacklivesmatter movement.

Critics drew a contrast between the symbolic support she offered and the lack of people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) background in government.

While about four per cent of Scotland’s population is BAME, last year Evans revealed only 2.2 per cent of the Government workforce identified as “minority ethnic”. She also said only three per cent of senior civil servants in December 2018 – five people – were in this category.

At Holyrood, Sarwar, pictured above, said to Evans: “I welcome the signs of solidarity that you and others in the Scottish Government have shown in taking the knee and in showing solidarity with minority communities. But, to be frank, it will be actions that people will judge the Scottish Government and officials on rather than their words.

“You lead one of the most chronically under-representative organisations in our country.”

Evans said the Government had carried out work to ensure recruitment reflected diversity. She added it had the highest level of minority ethnic colleagues ever in the senior civil service at about four per cent.

Earlier this week, Sarwar revealed that every college and university principal, as well as every headteacher and prison governor, is white.