‘What is going on at the Equality Commission?’

Strange goings on at the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Older leaders being denounced; pictures turned to the wall; Year Zero.

What do we know about the body charged with ensuring we handle difference fairly? Well, we know there is a new chair, crossbench peer Baroness O'Neill, and we know she is seizing the opportunity to freshen up her team of commissioners. We know that some have been automatically reappointed but that at least two have had their photos turned to the wall: Simon Woolley, the only black commissioner, who was praised by the commission itself just a few months ago as an "outstanding leader"; and Lady Meral Hussein-Ece, Liberal Democrat peer and vice-chair of the parliamentary all-party group on race and community. Presently she is the only Muslim commissioner. How were they culled after three years of service during a difficult time in the commission's history? Neither will tell, but these things will out. Having been requested to reapply by the coalition government, both apparently received emails from a private headhunter thanking them for their application, and telling them they were unsuccessful.

So what's going on? Well, maybe it is indeed time for some fresh faces – though both were brought in as new brooms – but we also know the commission is facing startling cuts in its budget and plans to drastically slim its workforce. We know that both Woolley and Hussein-Ece raised concerns about the impact that would have on the commission's work. Woolley, we hear, had already been making a fuss about the lack of diversity among the upper echelons of the commission itself.

With both out of the way, the creation of a new normal for our equalities commission may be easier to achieve. New commissioners will be appointed; some black, some Muslim, for we are told there is much diversity on the new shortlist. But will they raise a voice against the downsizing?

And here's the fun bit. How much do ministers know about the cackhanded way the changes are being handled? Not much, apparently. But they are, we are told, starting to take an interest. For officials can make a mess, and they often do, but come the firestorm, the minister always gets the blame.

Hugh Muir

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/nov/04/whats-going-on-at-equality-commission