Black Serjeant at Arms in claims of Commons racism

BRITAIN’S first black Serjeant at Arms has alleged that he has been a target of racism in the House of Commons, raising more concerns about a bullying culture under Speaker John Bercow.

Kamal El-hajji, a former official at the Ministry of Justice, was selected by a panel of MPS headed by Mr Bercow just over two years ago.

However, the Mail on Sunday claimed Mr El-hajji has been subjected to racist comments, stripped of his security responsibilities and is being thrown out of his grace-and-favour home.

The news will put fresh pressure on Mr Bercow, who is already facing accusations – which he strongly denies – that he bullied an aide. The newspaper said Mr El-hajji had started in his £80,000 position with a team of around 12. A year later, he was told his whole team was being subsumed into a new department and he was told to move to a “cupboard-sized” office while windows were refurbished in his old office.

When Mr El-hajji, 59, complained, a manager is alleged to have said: “If you don’t like the changes, then leave.”

In 2016, Mr El-hajji had also received a three-bedroom residence next to Parliament’s Derby Gate, where he lives with his wife and three children.

The source said Mr El-hajji has been told he has to leave his home by next January. Mr El-hajji is said to be speaking to the union for senior civil servants alleging racism and unfair treatment. A source said: “He’s being singled out because he is not white.”

However Mr El-hajji played down the row, saying: “Mr Speaker has supported and helped me and kindly gave me the opportunity to be the Serjeant.

“I am very grateful to him for all the kindness and for the time he has given to mentor me since I got this appointment.”