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Charity boss Tony Sewell to head government race commission Charity boss Tony Sewell to head government race commission
(32 minutes later)
Tony Sewell will later be named as the chair of a government commission looking into race disparity in the UK, the BBC's Rianna Croxford understands. The government has named Tony Sewell as chair of its new commission looking into race disparity in the UK.
The formation of the new body was announced in June by Boris Johnson in wake of anti-racism protests following the death of George Floyd. The formation of the body was announced in June by Boris Johnson in wake of anti-racism protests following the death of George Floyd.
The PM said it would look at all aspects of inequality, including health outcomes, employment and education. It will look at all aspects of inequality, including criminal justice, education, employment and health.
Mr Sewell is the boss of education charity Generating Genius. Mr Sewell said the commission would "seek to inform a national conversation about race, led by the evidence".
The commission is expected to report back to the government by Christmas with its findings. Now the boss of education charity Generating Genius, Mr Sewell worked with the PM in 2013 when he was Mayor of London, leading his education inquiry into the capital's schools.
The prime minister said Mr Sewell shared his "commitment to maximising opportunity for all".
The commission will report back directly to Mr Johnson with its findings by the end of the year.
As well leading a charity, Mr Sewell has been a board member for both the Science Museum and the Youth Justice Board.As well leading a charity, Mr Sewell has been a board member for both the Science Museum and the Youth Justice Board.
He is also a columnist, author and fellow at University College London. He is also a columnist, author and fellow at University College London, and sat on the Windrush working group.
He is a longstanding commentator on racial issues and education, attracting criticism from some quarters for his views, such as claiming boys were being failed by schools because lessons had become too "feminised".He is a longstanding commentator on racial issues and education, attracting criticism from some quarters for his views, such as claiming boys were being failed by schools because lessons had become too "feminised".
He also said an anti-intellectual Afro-Caribbean youth culture was one of the reasons girls performed better than boys in school.He also said an anti-intellectual Afro-Caribbean youth culture was one of the reasons girls performed better than boys in school.
The BBC's community affairs correspondent, Rianna Croxford, reported he was understood to be in line for the role earlier on Thursday.
After the appointment was confirmed, Mr Sewell said: "I have spent my entire career in education striving to help all students achieve their full potential.
"I know however that inequality exists, and I am committed to working with my fellow commissioners to understand why."
Commissioner needs community supportCommissioner needs community support
Analysis by BBC political correspondent Leila NathooAnalysis by BBC political correspondent Leila Nathoo
This commission had its sceptics from the moment it was announced.This commission had its sceptics from the moment it was announced.
Some opposition MPs and organisations working on race equality were uneasy about Boris Johnson's comments that he wanted to "change the narrative" on race and "stop a sense of victimisation and discrimination".Some opposition MPs and organisations working on race equality were uneasy about Boris Johnson's comments that he wanted to "change the narrative" on race and "stop a sense of victimisation and discrimination".
There was also concern one of the prime minister's closest aides, Munira Mirza, who's been overseeing the setting up of the commission, had previously questioned whether structural racism existed.There was also concern one of the prime minister's closest aides, Munira Mirza, who's been overseeing the setting up of the commission, had previously questioned whether structural racism existed.
Tony Sewell, who's now been chosen as chair, has written in support of both of these views.Tony Sewell, who's now been chosen as chair, has written in support of both of these views.
As Downing Street was working to recruit the commission's members, I understand that a number of prominent figures in the black community - who did not want to be identified publicly - sought to distance themselves from the process.As Downing Street was working to recruit the commission's members, I understand that a number of prominent figures in the black community - who did not want to be identified publicly - sought to distance themselves from the process.
Sources said some who'd been reluctant to pursue discussions with the government regarded the commission as "toxic" and a way for ministers to "play for time" or "pay lip service" to the idea of race equality.Sources said some who'd been reluctant to pursue discussions with the government regarded the commission as "toxic" and a way for ministers to "play for time" or "pay lip service" to the idea of race equality.
A government spokesperson dismissed the suggestion a number of black individuals had rejected the opportunity to be part of the commission.A government spokesperson dismissed the suggestion a number of black individuals had rejected the opportunity to be part of the commission.
But the choice of chair is sure to be a controversial one - one source has already described the decision as a "disaster".But the choice of chair is sure to be a controversial one - one source has already described the decision as a "disaster".
The question is what the commission can achieve if it doesn't have the support of the very communities it is supposed to be working to help.The question is what the commission can achieve if it doesn't have the support of the very communities it is supposed to be working to help.
The commission will face high levels of scrutiny after accusations another government review into race is a distraction from the issue.The commission will face high levels of scrutiny after accusations another government review into race is a distraction from the issue.
Ahead of the appointment, the Coalition of Race Equality Organisations (CORE) - which brings together a number of groups working in the field - warned the chair and commissioners "must be representative and secure widespread support from BAME communities and involve people who are prepared to analyse and challenge systemic racism".Ahead of the appointment, the Coalition of Race Equality Organisations (CORE) - which brings together a number of groups working in the field - warned the chair and commissioners "must be representative and secure widespread support from BAME communities and involve people who are prepared to analyse and challenge systemic racism".
The other members confirmed for the commission are:
After the announcement of the membership, the PM said: "The commission will be inclusive, undertaking research and inviting submissions where necessary. It will set a positive agenda for change."