Brexit blamed for 44pc surge in race hate crimes in city’s schools
European Economic Area ‘not right for UK’
REPORTS of race-related hate crimes in a Yorkshire city’s schools jumped by more than 40 per cent in just one year, it has emerged.
Figures obtained from Leeds City Council show there was a 44 per cent rise in race-related hate crime in schools between 2015/16 and 2016/17.
Teaching figures in Leeds say they are not surprised, with one suggesting it could be the “tip of the iceberg”.
Figures show the total number of logged incidents of race/ ethnicity hate crimes among school pupils in the city totalled 270 in the 2015/16 academic year – but surged to 390 in 2016/17.
Patrick Murphy, of the National Union of Teachers, said: “I am not surprised by the figures. You can get improvements in reporting these figures, but I don’t think that would explain the level of jump here.
“I think that some of the progress of the work that has been done over the last 10 to 15 years has been eroded by the atmosphere around Brexit. It has empowered a negative attitude towards other people.”
He added that nearby marches from extremist groups also had short-term effects on classrooms.
Kauser Jan, a Leeds-based teacher and community activist, said she believed the figures were the “tip of the iceberg”.
Coun Jonathan Pryor, executive member for learning, skills and employment, said: “We are very proud that Leeds is a diverse city and has a history of creating a welcoming, tolerant, inclusive and compassionate place for people from all background and faiths and so I am troubled by what seems to be an increase in incidents.”
THERESA MAY has dismissed joining the European Economic Area after Brexit, saying it is not the “right” option as it would fail to deliver on the referendum vote.
On a day that Tory infighting over Brexit intensified ahead of crunch Cabinet talks on the UK’s exit strategy, the Prime Minister was asked about reports that the Government was considering legal re-entry into a form of European unity such as the EEA, which would allow for the free movement of people, goods, services and capital.
Tory backbencher and Brexiteer Sir Bill Cash asked Mrs May to rule out the reports as she delivered a statement to the Commons on the June European Council,
He said: “There are some disturbing reports in parts of the press that the Government may have in mind some proposals for some form of legal re-entry into a form of European unity of some description, for example in the context of the EEA.
“This is preposterous and I’m simply asking (Mrs May) to dismiss these reports as they are completely unfounded and would undermine trust in our democracy if they were true.”
Mrs May, who addressed MPs after a meeting with DUP leader Arlene Foster, replied: “In relation to the point that he makes about the EEA, I have been clear from the start that is one of the things that the European Commission had suggested was on the table.
“The EEA is not right because the EEA – and particularly in the form that the European Commission has proposed it – would not deliver on the vote of the referendum and the vote of the British people.”
Tory MP Philip Davies claimed last night that leavers could vote down the Government’s final withdrawal agreement and spark a “no-deal” Brexit if it waters down the “red lines” set out by Mrs May, including leaving the single market and customs union, ending free movement and having a time-limited transition period.
It is unclear if Labour would join forces with Brexiteers to defeat the Government if it meant the UK leaving the EU with no deal.
The Shipley MP told The
Yorkshire Post: “Whatever deal the Prime Minister comes back with, (the opposition parties) will find some pretext to vote against it – either it’s gone too far or it hasn’t gone far enough – they will find an excuse to vote it down
“The question then for the Prime Minister is can she get it through the rest of the parliamentary party.
“I think it’s a statement of fact rather than anything else – if her red lines are breached, which she set out herself, you’re going to be in three figures of Tory MPs voting down the deal.”
Earlier in the day, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson leapt to the defence of Jacob Rees-Mogg following his claim that the Prime Minister must deliver the Brexit she promised or risk collapsing her Government.
Mr Johnson’s intervention on Twitter also appears to put him at odds with a Minister in his own department, with Sir Alan Duncan earlier accusing Mr ReesMogg of “insolence”.
Mr Johnson said: “It’s vital that all MPs are able to air their views on Brexit. Whatever your position, I hope we can all agree that Jacob Rees Mogg is a principled and dedicated MP who wants the best for our country.”
Mrs May will bring together her Cabinet on Friday at her country residence to thrash out details of a White Paper setting out the UK’s plans for areas such as trade. But she has faced repeated warnings that senior figures in her government are on manoeuvres in preparation for a leadership battle.
Brexiteer Mr Rees-Mogg, tipped as a potential Tory leader, had used a newspaper opinion piece to warn the Prime Minister she must deliver what she promised – the UK leaving the single market and customs union and outside the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice – or risk her administration.
He insisted he was “confident” Mrs May would deliver the Brexit she had promised, but warned the PM that backsliding could result in splitting the party.