The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has asked the Standards Board for England whether the Mayor’s comments made to an Evening Standard reporter compromises the ability of the Greater London Authority (GLA) to comply with the Race Relations Act.
The CRE has today notified the Chairman of the London Assembly that it is seeking the Standards Board’s views as to whether the comments "compromise the ability of the GLA to comply with its General Duty under S.71 of the amended Race Relations Act to carry out its functions with due regard to the need to eliminate racial discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between people of different racial groups".
Nick Johnson, the CRE’s Director of Policy and Public Sector, explains that he has passed the matter for the attention of the Standards Board after receiving a number of queries regarding the Mayor’s conduct and whether it amounts to a breach of the amended Race Relations Act.
Brian Coleman AM, Chairman of the London Assembly, says: "On Monday, the London Assembly provided the Mayor with an opportunity to bring this matter to an end by apologising. He declined. Now the Commission for Racial Equality is involved, and I am duty bound to bring this matter to the attention of my fellow Assembly Members."
