Equality agenda gains Cabinet level kudos

OBV have campaigned for several years for this post to be created, and made the issue a major plank of the Deputy Leadership race, as well as of the last 2005 General Election campaign.

Minister Harman is already Leader of the Commons, deputy Labour Party leader, party chairwoman and minister for women. Race equality groups are hopeful that race equality will now be very high on the agenda for the Brown Government.

OBV Director, Simon Woolley stated: "This appointment is very good news, first because equality and particularly race equality will be dealt with at a Cabinet level, and secondly because Harriet Harman who holds the post as an excellent track record as an advocate for equality."