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Charity boss Tony Sewell to head government race commission Charity boss Tony Sewell to head government race commission
(about 1 hour later)
The government has named Tony Sewell as chair of its new commission looking into race disparity in the UK.The government has named Tony Sewell as chair of its new commission looking into race disparity in the UK.
The formation of the body was announced in June by Boris Johnson in the wake of anti-racism protests following the death of George Floyd.The formation of the body was announced in June by Boris Johnson in the wake of anti-racism protests following the death of George Floyd.
Mr Sewell said the commission would "seek to inform a national conversation about race, led by the evidence".Mr Sewell said the commission would "seek to inform a national conversation about race, led by the evidence".
But the Muslim Council of Britain criticised the chair, claiming he was "keen on downplaying race disparities". But the Muslim Council of Britain said he was the wrong choice as he was "keen on downplaying race disparities".
The prime minister said Mr Sewell shared his "commitment to maximising opportunity for all".The prime minister said Mr Sewell shared his "commitment to maximising opportunity for all".
The commission is tasked with looking at all aspects of inequality, including criminal justice, education, employment and health.The commission is tasked with looking at all aspects of inequality, including criminal justice, education, employment and health.
It will report back directly to Mr Johnson with its findings by the end of the year.It will report back directly to Mr Johnson with its findings by the end of the year.
But Labour said most of the evidence the commission would examine had already come to light in previous reviews on race, calling for "action on the structural racism that we already know exists". But Labour's shadow women and equalities secretary, Marsha de Cordova, said most of the evidence the commission would examine had already come to light in previous reviews on race, calling for "action on the structural racism that we already know exists" as a priority.
The party's shadow women and equalities secretary, Marsha de Cordova, said Mr Sewell's "first priority should be to understand why the many recommendations made from reviews and investigations in recent years are yet to be implemented by the government". The Liberal Democrat's equalities spokeswoman, Christine Jardine, also called for the PM to ensure any recommendations from the commission "don't just sit and gather dust".
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, and sat on the Windrush working group.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, and sat on the Windrush working group.
He has been a board member for both the Science Museum and the Youth Justice Board, while also working a columnist, author and fellow at University College London. 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".
Mr Sewell 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.
And, writing in Prospect magazine in 2010, he said "much of the supposed evidence of institutional racism is flimsy".
The BBC's community affairs correspondent, Rianna Croxford, reported that he was understood to be in line for the role earlier on Thursday.The BBC's community affairs correspondent, Rianna Croxford, reported that 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.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.""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 said: "It is untrue to suggest that a number of prominent Black individuals have rejected the opportunity to be a 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".
The other members confirmed for the commission are:The other members confirmed for the commission are:
A spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain condemned the appointments, saying: "The composition of the government's commission on race disparities sends a strong signal about its intentions. Many are partisans of a culture war keen on downplaying race disparities.A spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain condemned the appointments, saying: "The composition of the government's commission on race disparities sends a strong signal about its intentions. Many are partisans of a culture war keen on downplaying race disparities.
"Tony Sewell's appointment clearly demonstrates this. He has maligned former PM Theresa May's Race Disparity Audit, hates the term 'racial injustice', believes 'racism is not the problem' whilst downplaying institutional racism in universities, and accused black young men of 'victimhood' as they fail at school because they do 'not pay attention'. "Tony Sewell's appointment clearly demonstrates this. The composition of this commission tells us that the government intends to row back on previous work to tackle racial disparities."
"The composition of this commission tells us that the government intends to row back on previous work to tackle racial disparities." Speaking to BBC News, Mr Sewell said he did believe "racism exists in structures", but added: "I do think some of the disparities there may not have origins in race. They could be rooted in class, different geographies, or different powers.
But after the announcement of the membership, Mr Johnson said: "The commission will be inclusive, undertaking research and inviting submissions where necessary. It will set a positive agenda for change." "We need to examine that... and take an intellectually wider view of this, rather than a narrow view."