A policy of sacking racist police after the Stephen Lawrence murder was described as ‘over the top’ by Tony Blair, who worried about the press reaction, declassified files released today by the National Archives in Kew reveal.
After the landmark report into how white thugs murdered a teenager black teenager, the former prime minister also rejected the idea of creating a race equality strategy.
After finding that the Metropolitan Police’s 1993 investigation of the murder of a black teenage girl had been hampered by institutional racism, the 1999 Macpherson Report made wide-ranging reform proposals.
Jack Straw (home secretary) requested the inquiry and wanted to release a whitepaper with a 10-year plan for combating racial inequity.
Tony Blair, concerned about reaction from the media, described the policy of firing racist officers after Stephen Lawrence’s murder (above), as ‘over-the top. Declassified documents released by Kew’s National Archives reveal that Blair worried about how the public would react. Following the historic report into the brutal murder of black teenager by white men, Tony Blair blocked the creation of any race equality strategy.
Blair, however, was skeptical about the idea and expressed concern over the possibility of a regulation nightmare.
Before the anticipated report of the inquiry into the south-east London murder, Mr Straw sent a December 1998 letter to Blair outlining his ideas.
It stated that he wanted to be in a position to issue a white paper, which would include a pledge by all federal departments to ensure race equality is at the core of any policy-making.
He warned that black and Asian children have seen their parents and grandparents suffer harassment, discrimination and racial violence, and they are now developing very hostile attitudes towards the white community.
“We must win their trust in British institutions.”
However, in No. 10, there was deep concern about the approach of home secretary.
Following its conclusion that the Metropolitan Police probe into 1993 death of black teenage victim had not been completed properly, 1999 Macpherson Report offered wide-ranging recommendations for reform. Jack Straw, the home secretary (above with Blair in 1996) was prompted to issue a white paper that included a 10-year plan for combating racial inequality.
Angus Lapsley was an officer in Mr Blair’s private office. He noted that they are ‘cool’ to the suggestion that racist officers or racist acts be fired, pointing out possible reactions from the press.
“This could very easily be a Telegraph cause celebre, if taken to far,” he said.
Blair added the following comment in a margin handwritten note: “I agree.”
He added that ‘We don’t want to be OTT about this. You’re right.’ You’re right.
At a March 1999 meeting between Mr Blair & Mr Straw, the white paper proposal was concluded.
According to the official meeting note, ‘The Prime Minister stated that he agreed with the Home Secretary’s objectives political and it was obvious the Government required to have a clear agenda for positive change’.
“However, a whitepaper would be too many hostages for fortune, and the government would feel under pressure to add all kinds of measures it doesn’t want to.
Blair agreed instead that Straw might publish a number of consultation papers which respond to the key recommendations contained in the inquiry.