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Politicians need to 'wake up' to corruption in minority communities Politicians need to 'wake up' to corruption in minority communities
(about 11 hours later)
Politicians need to "wake up" to growing problems of corruption involving sections of some minority communities, according to Dominic Grieve, the Conservative MP and attorney general.Politicians need to "wake up" to growing problems of corruption involving sections of some minority communities, according to Dominic Grieve, the Conservative MP and attorney general.
Citing electoral corruption as a particular concern and singling out the Pakistani community, Grieve said that the problem was on the rise because some minority communities "come from backgrounds where corruption is endemic".Citing electoral corruption as a particular concern and singling out the Pakistani community, Grieve said that the problem was on the rise because some minority communities "come from backgrounds where corruption is endemic".
Many immigrants, he said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, "come from societies where they have been brought up to believe you can only get certain things through a favour culture".Many immigrants, he said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, "come from societies where they have been brought up to believe you can only get certain things through a favour culture".
"One of the things you have to make absolutely clear is that is not the case and it's not acceptable. As politicians, these are issues we need to pay some attention to.""One of the things you have to make absolutely clear is that is not the case and it's not acceptable. As politicians, these are issues we need to pay some attention to."
Grieve, whose constituency has a sizeable south Asian community, said that he was "very optimistic" about the future of the UK, which he said had managed the integration of minority communities better than most countries in Europe.Grieve, whose constituency has a sizeable south Asian community, said that he was "very optimistic" about the future of the UK, which he said had managed the integration of minority communities better than most countries in Europe.
However, he said, that required the maintenance of the rule of law and democratic institutions, as well as stemming corruption, a problem he claimed was growing due to the backgrounds of some minority communities.However, he said, that required the maintenance of the rule of law and democratic institutions, as well as stemming corruption, a problem he claimed was growing due to the backgrounds of some minority communities.
The MP identified Slough, Berkshire, as an example of the type of electoral corruption that he was concerned about. Eshaq Khan, who was a Tory councillor there, was found guilty in 2008 of using bogus postal votes to ensure he was voted in.The MP identified Slough, Berkshire, as an example of the type of electoral corruption that he was concerned about. Eshaq Khan, who was a Tory councillor there, was found guilty in 2008 of using bogus postal votes to ensure he was voted in.
More recently, the Electoral Commission called in Scotland Yard after allegations of postal vote scams in the east London area of Tower Hamlets last year, although a police investigation found no evidence of widespread voting fraud.More recently, the Electoral Commission called in Scotland Yard after allegations of postal vote scams in the east London area of Tower Hamlets last year, although a police investigation found no evidence of widespread voting fraud.
Asked if he was referring to the Pakistani community, Grieve replied: "Yes, it's mainly the Pakistani community, not the Indian community. I wouldn't draw it down to one. I'd be wary of saying it's just a Pakistani problem."Asked if he was referring to the Pakistani community, Grieve replied: "Yes, it's mainly the Pakistani community, not the Indian community. I wouldn't draw it down to one. I'd be wary of saying it's just a Pakistani problem."
In a statement, Grieve later added: "I am absolutely clear that this problem is not attributable to any one community, as I know very well from my many years promoting community cohesion."
Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, which studies integration migration and identity, said that problems of electoral corruption involving particular ethnic groups in constituencies appeared to be less of a problem than in the past.Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, which studies integration migration and identity, said that problems of electoral corruption involving particular ethnic groups in constituencies appeared to be less of a problem than in the past.
"If electoral fraud and malpractice of this type occurs then it should be thoroughly investigated, although on the whole we are probably seeing less of it."If electoral fraud and malpractice of this type occurs then it should be thoroughly investigated, although on the whole we are probably seeing less of it.
"There has been a some history of unhealthy relationships, for example, between parties, candidates and sections of communities when it comes to selection processes," he added."There has been a some history of unhealthy relationships, for example, between parties, candidates and sections of communities when it comes to selection processes," he added.
"But we have been seeing a healthy shift away from ethnic block or clan-based politics, which is many ways was a first generational thing, although that is not to say that localised problems may not exist and should be investigated if they are identified."But we have been seeing a healthy shift away from ethnic block or clan-based politics, which is many ways was a first generational thing, although that is not to say that localised problems may not exist and should be investigated if they are identified.
"In fact, when local parties have continued to involve themselves in this old stuff of ethnic block voting then they are likely to become unstuck, and that may have been the case in Bradford.""In fact, when local parties have continued to involve themselves in this old stuff of ethnic block voting then they are likely to become unstuck, and that may have been the case in Bradford."
Katwala also said that recent research indicated that ethnic minority voters had a strong engagement with and high levels of trust in British democracy.Katwala also said that recent research indicated that ethnic minority voters had a strong engagement with and high levels of trust in British democracy.
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