Britain is not institutionally racist, landmark report chief says

There is no evidence of “institutional racism” in Britain, although there is evidence that “overt” prejudice exists, the man behind a landmark study set up in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement has said.

Tony Sewell, who is chairman of the Commission on Race and Ethnic disparities, said while there was anecdotal evidence of racism, he denied there was any proof that it was structural, saying there was data to show some ethnic minorities were doing well in the jobs market and in education.

Labour said action was needed to tackle racism, rather than simply another report.

Dr Halima Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, said it was “deeply, deeply worrying” that the commission has denied the existence of institutional racism, while Independent MP Claudia Webbe tweeted that the finding was a “slap in the face”.

It follows wider discussions around racism following the death of George Floyd last year, subsequent Black Lives Matter protests, elite sports stars taking the knee before football matches, and a claim by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey that a member of the royal family – not the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh – had made a racist comment about their son Archie.

Mr Sewell, a former teacher who grew up in Brixton, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “No-one denies and no-one is saying racism doesn’t exist.

“We found anecdotal evidence of this.

“However… evidence of actual institutional racism? No, that wasn’t there, we didn’t find that.”

[donaldclark]

"overt racism remains online"
Deletes Twitter
Racism down by 1000%

[draxlerchronicles]

The ones who focus on race and make race the centre of every issue are the ones who need to have a look at themselves.

[BigJS]

It’s not racism because someone doesn’t share the same opinions as you

[farazon]

One of the key problems is that people read/watch the news and what happens in America and extrapolate that the UK works in exactly the same fashion and has the same societal problems. While some of the challenges are shared, it's nowhere close to the same degree or same dynamic.

[zaid]

every single life matters. asian, black, white etc. idk why people make such a big fuss and can’t just live peacefully

[redmoruga]

well, BLM in UK did achieve something - it managed to increase racial tension. They did a much better job in the US, there it will take them decades to undo their good work - if ever.

[zainkhan]

Some people in Britain acting like we live in southern America in the 1800's. Racism happens (as it does everywhere) but we aren't a racist country.

[abf]

“When you’re a hammer everything looks like a nail”
Can we stop importing America’s political issues into Europe.

[happyharry]

If a community wishes not to integrate it will always see itself as victims

[RFSA]

When victimhood is monetized, they'll always be grifters

[yinka]

It took a whole report to come out with what was so obvious even to a blind 4 year old ... huh ? Does that mean the UK is putting the brakes on re this lunacy coming from the U.S ?

[TommyInferno]

And people are disappointed with this finding!!!! They’re DESPERATE for racism to exist

[paulround]

What a surprise... not. The only ones who are raciest are the people constantly declaring everything racist, you know the people who can't see a banana without worrying if black people might be offended by it.

[tirisian]

in simple terms just remove labels, hiring companies don't need to know your race, gender, disability, religious beliefs or sexual preferences in any application until after you get the job. take those out and everyone is on an equal playing field and jobs go to those qualified to do the work. Do the same for education, benefits and housing and i believe there will be an improvement.

To put a label on something is to separate it from others, no labels leads to no exclusion.

[garyoneill]

Middle class woke folk seem to be the haters.

[alexbriffa]

" if you want to stop racism, stop talking about it freeman.

[suzuki-qorm]

its obvious why theyre bringing up this topic right now, dont let them further divide us

[shuddupeyaface]

All this is hatred. Pure hate, bigotry and pitchfork waving moronic nastiness. And it needs to stop.

[daftlad]

Thanks Evenung Standard for actually doing your part to report on statistics rather than just feelings and narratives for the sake of more clicks and views. I mean it, it's necessary

[oscarjones]

When people act like they’re victim all the time, everyone with logic ends up seeing through them!