Headline from today’s Guardian:
“John Sentamu peerage snub criticised as ‘institutional prejudice’
Britain’s first black archbishop has not been given Lords seat though his predecessor was.”
Regardless of what you might think about the House of Lords of the Church of England, I find this a pretty disgusting provocation.
Apparently the Government says it’s because there is not enough room in the Upper House, though room was found for the PM’s brother Jo, Brexit MP Claire Fox, Ian ‘Brexit’ Botham and 33 others, none of them black. John Sentamu is a hugely impressive individual whose credentials and contributions to British Society far outstrip any of the 36 Candidates selected. A clear message from our Government.
I think what the Govt meant to say is their is not enough room for any more Black people in the House of Lords.
This on a day in which the Police have changed their mind about releasing bodycam footage which they hoped would help exonerate them from accusations of racist and aggressive stop and search policing. Apparently, after viewing lots of footage Chief Constables have realised that the footage is littered with examples of rude and aggressive policing, lack of patience and failure to engage with de-escalation.
A quick Google search revealed this headline from the Telegraph archives:
“Arch Bishop John Sentamu stopped and searched eight times”
Oh the irony.