Most organisations still have a problem with racism, says Khan
MOST ORGANISATIONS in Britain have problems with “institutional racism”, the London mayor has claimed.
Sadiq Khan called on those at the top of institutions to ensure there is zero tolerance towards racism, as he said the country has been “too slow” in tackling the problem. Speaking on ITV’s
yesterday, Mr Khan said that, 25 years on from the murder of 18-year-old Stephen Lawrence on April 22, 1993 in Plumstead, south-east London, there had been “huge progress” in tackling the issue, but added: “We should be impatient for change.”
He maintained that there needed to be more police officers from ethnic minorities who are promoted to the top levels of the police service.
And Mr Khan added: “I think most institutions in our country have problems with institutional racism.”
He continued: “I suspect there is still unwitting prejudice in the main political parties, dare I say it in ITV, dare I say it in the police service and other public authorities as well.
“The key thing is the leadership at the top must make sure there is zero tolerance towards this, we have policies in place and an action plan to address that.
“I think we’ve been too slow and we’re going to accelerate the progress.”
Mr Khan also called on the President of the USA, Donald Trump, to apologise for retweeting the tweets of a far-right group which has been set up “intentionally to sow these seeds of division”.
Last year, Mr Trump was heavily criticised after he retweeted three videos posted by Britain First deputy leader Jayda Fransen.
Mr Trump is set to visit the UK in July and Mr Khan said he believed there would be protests.
But he urged: “They must be peaceful, they must be lawful.”
Asked whether he would join the protests, Mr Khan said: “As the mayor of London, it’s probably inappropriate for me to join a protest when foreign leaders come to the UK.”