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Race row MP in black gang project Race row MP in black gang project
(about 2 hours later)
A Conservative MP sacked from the frontbench over alleged racist remarks is helping black military staff mentor youths at risk of joining gangs.A Conservative MP sacked from the frontbench over alleged racist remarks is helping black military staff mentor youths at risk of joining gangs.
Patrick Mercer confirmed he was part of a project set up by race relations chief Trevor Philips.Patrick Mercer confirmed he was part of a project set up by race relations chief Trevor Philips.
He was sacked from the frontbench after saying he had met "idle" black soldiers who used racism as a "cover".He was sacked from the frontbench after saying he had met "idle" black soldiers who used racism as a "cover".
He said he was merely reporting what went on in the army but he accepted his comments might have caused "hurt".He said he was merely reporting what went on in the army but he accepted his comments might have caused "hurt".
And he stressed he always "came down hard" on racist bullying when he came across it in the army.And he stressed he always "came down hard" on racist bullying when he came across it in the army.
At the time, Mr Philips, who his head of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, praised Mr Mercer's removal by leader David Cameron. At the time, Mr Philips, who as head of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, praised Mr Mercer's removal by leader David Cameron.
'Cameron row''Cameron row'
But Mr Mercer said his involvement in the commission's scheme was not related to his row with Mr Cameron which led to his being forced to quit as homeland security spokesman.But Mr Mercer said his involvement in the commission's scheme was not related to his row with Mr Cameron which led to his being forced to quit as homeland security spokesman.
I just wish I had not got involved in that row with Cameron earlier this year Patrick MercerConservative MPI just wish I had not got involved in that row with Cameron earlier this year Patrick MercerConservative MP
The MP for Newark said: "It all sounds as if I am trying a bit too hard but this is one of a number of projects like this that I have been involved in.The MP for Newark said: "It all sounds as if I am trying a bit too hard but this is one of a number of projects like this that I have been involved in.
"It could not be further removed from the row with Cameron than a trip to the moon.""It could not be further removed from the row with Cameron than a trip to the moon."
In March, Mr Mercer, who spent 25 years in the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters regiment, caused a storm by appearing to suggest being called a "black bastard" was a normal part of Army life.In March, Mr Mercer, who spent 25 years in the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters regiment, caused a storm by appearing to suggest being called a "black bastard" was a normal part of Army life.
He told The Times: "If someone is slow on the assault course, you'd get people shouting: 'Come on you fat bastard, come on you ginger bastard, come on you black bastard.'"He told The Times: "If someone is slow on the assault course, you'd get people shouting: 'Come on you fat bastard, come on you ginger bastard, come on you black bastard.'"
He also said: "I came across a lot of ethnic minority soldiers who were idle and useless, but who used racism as cover for their misdemeanours."He also said: "I came across a lot of ethnic minority soldiers who were idle and useless, but who used racism as cover for their misdemeanours."
But on Monday, Mr Mercer said of his role: "This is just the work I am getting on with as part of the broad remit of a backbench member of Parliament who happens to have a great interest in these things.But on Monday, Mr Mercer said of his role: "This is just the work I am getting on with as part of the broad remit of a backbench member of Parliament who happens to have a great interest in these things.
"I just wish I had not got involved in that row with Cameron earlier this year.""I just wish I had not got involved in that row with Cameron earlier this year."
He said he had worked for years with the charity Skillforce which uses former service personnel to help pupils, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, to develop skills.He said he had worked for years with the charity Skillforce which uses former service personnel to help pupils, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, to develop skills.
'Passionate''Passionate'
Mr Phillips was not available for comment, but a commission spokeswoman said the project was "an independent initiative" Mr Phillips had been "actively and openly pursuing".Mr Phillips was not available for comment, but a commission spokeswoman said the project was "an independent initiative" Mr Phillips had been "actively and openly pursuing".
"It is clearly an area he feels very passionate about. Though not a CEHR project, it is important that the right questions are raised to help tailor policy both inside and outside local communities," she said."It is clearly an area he feels very passionate about. Though not a CEHR project, it is important that the right questions are raised to help tailor policy both inside and outside local communities," she said.
According to the Guardian newspaper, the scheme will see black military staff act with youths who are in danger of becoming involved in inner city gang violence.According to the Guardian newspaper, the scheme will see black military staff act with youths who are in danger of becoming involved in inner city gang violence.
Air Commodore David Case, the highest ranking black officer in the forces, and Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, the highest ranking minority officer at Scotland Yard, have both been approached to take part, the Guardian said. Air Commodore David Case, the highest ranking black officer in the forces, and Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, the highest ranking minority officer at Scotland Yard, have both been approached to take part.
Best examples
The paper also said he had been asked by Downing Street to draw up a strategy for dealing with violent teenage gangs in the wake of several deaths this year.The paper also said he had been asked by Downing Street to draw up a strategy for dealing with violent teenage gangs in the wake of several deaths this year.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said he was pleased with Mr Phillips' approach and the involvement of senior officers, as well as Mr Mercer.
"The best examples for disaffected black youngsters are other black people who have made their way in society because they have a far better understanding of the pressures in these communities.
"It is just as important, though, that all of us give active support to this initiative on a non-partisan basis, which is why I welcome the involvement of Patrick Mercer MP," Mr Straw said.