News

The dramatic budget cuts imposed by the coalition government across the board could trigger off bigger problems in society. That is the fear of campaigners in Yorkshire, who fear that a number of organisations promoting racial justice and helping vulnerable people in BME communities could be forced to close due to severe cuts in funding.

The Football Association have stripped John Terry of the England captaincy, it was announced earlier today.

The decision was made after his trial for the alleged racist abuse of QPR defender Anton Ferdinand was delayed until July 9 following a hearing at Westminster Magistrates court on Wednesday. Terry denies the charges.

England captain John Terry will stand trial for alleged racist abuse against QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in July.

The Chelsea skipper did not attend the first hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London but his barrister George Carter-Stephenson QC, entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

The trial is set to take place on July 9, nine days after the final of the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine, meaning he could captain England during the games while having the charge hanging over him.

A Home Office pathologist concluded that Jacob Michael, who feared for his life at the hands of the police, died in custody on 22nd August of ‘excited delirium’, a term not even recognised by the Department for Health.

According to witnesses, Michael was repeatedly hit with police batons after fleeing his home when two officers from Cheshire constabulary entered his bedroom and released pepper spray into his face. He was later restrained by 11 officers which resulted in broken ribs and torn liver.

It has been reported that the founder and key funder of the English Defence League has been suspended from his management post in the City.

Alan Ayling, who is said to have used the alias 'Alan Lake' was suspended by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development after he was named as the EDL's founder, according to UAF.org.uk.

The police in Northamptonshire believe that hard core racists are behind a string of arson attacks leveled at a Polish Deli. Dectives working on the case believe that the attack was deliberate and are linking this crime with a similar incident just before Christmas at the same shop.

The owner, Slawomir Mordon, stated, he would have to close his business for at least ‘six or seven months’.  He said,

David Lammy MP has sparked a furious debate about a parent’s right to smack their children. He himself admitted to ‘occasionally smacking’ his own young children. London Mayor Boris Johnson waded into the debate arguing that it is up to the discretion of the parent and the ‘State should not interfere’.

October saw the launch of the 2011/2012 Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme. 25 dynamic and enthusiastic BME individuals have been selected to take part in this year's programme.

January 2012- Mohammed Ullah, Labour Shadow.

Mohammed pictured here at Labour Party HQ.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is actively looking to recruit more staff from BME communities as well as advance more women to senior roles.

The fire service is hoping to make its workforce more reflective of the communities it serves, and the move has been welcomed by unions, who see it as a drive to move away from 'Draconian' recruitment and "institutional racism".

Anti-racist and anti-fascist campaigners are ready to show their opposition to the English Defence League, who are proposing to march in Leicester on Saturday.

This is the second time the far-right group is set to step foot in Leicester, looking to stir up trouble and spouting their poisonous rhetoric. The EDL's last visit to Leicester in October 2010 resulted in violence and disruption and the same is feared to happen again.