News

Racial equality strategy to be published

A 'RACIAL equality strategy' is to be published by Stormont within the next few weeks.

A draft of the strategy is being completed and will be put out for public consultation, The Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) confirmed yesterday. The consultation comes amid criticism of Mr Robinson over his backing of evangelical preacher James Mcconnell.

A spokeswoman for OFMDFM said: "The development of the draft consultation document for the Racial Equality Strategy is near completion and the public consultation of the revised strategy will commence very shortly".

Alliance MLA Anna lo has said the lack of a racial equality strategy has created a "vacuum for hate crimes to flourish" and called for Stormont to act on the delayed proposals.

Sinn Fein assembly member Jennifer Mccann said yesterday that the draft urgently needed to be put out to consultation. "The strategy has been designed as a template to tackle racial inequalities in the north and to open up opportunities for all people no matter what their ethnic origins," she said. "Given the racial attacks and abuse over the past few weeks it is essential that we begin to implement the strategy immediately." Claire Simpson