Parties hit back at BNP equality attack

| Thursday, 23 November 2006 Source: Ilford Recorder

REDBRIDGE'S three main political parties this week stood united in pledging to consider an equality scheme - despite coming under fire from British National Party councillor Julian Leppert.

Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors agreed to consider a draft report on stamping out discrimination against council employees on grounds of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion and age.

Speaking at Thursday's full council meeting at the town hall, High Road, Ilford, council leader Cllr Alan Weinberg said the equality scheme was the way forward for Redbridge.

"May I join in saying what an excellent report this is," he said. "We will treat everyone the same whatever their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability."

Richard Hoskins, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Church End, defended the report against an attack by Cllr Leppert, the BNP councillor for Hainault.

Cllr Leppert said the equality scheme was "sinister, bordering on illegal" adding: "At what point does positive action against inequalities become positive discrimination?

"Positive discrimination is still illegal in this country."

But Cllr Hoskins replied: "History is not on Cllr Leppert's side or on his party's side.

"This report does not discriminate against anyone - it favours equality."

The council agreed to consider the draft report of the equality scheme by a majority vote.