A FORMER senior policeman has found “no evidence” of institutional racism at Harrow Council following a month-long formal probe into the matter.

Retired Chief Superintendent Dal Babu, the former Harrow borough commander, was commissioned to examine  allegations made by the Independent Labour group among others including members of staff.

His findings were published today and he concluded: “After careful consideration of the facts I have concluded that there are opportunities for some managers to enhance their management skills and improve their interaction with staff and this needs to be addressed by the council.

“But there is no evidence that I have seen that supports the allegation that Harrow Council is institutionally racist.”

Mr Babu - the chairman of Harrow Age UK and who was selected by an interview panel - had nine recommendations.

In his report, Mr Babu said: “A common theme from witnesses was that to allege institutional racism was a relatively easy allegation to make, however then not to present any credible evidence was upsetting to staff in Harrow Council who are committed to servicing all sections of the community.

He said: “The high percentage of applications from BAME (black, asian and minority ethnic) applicants does not translate into a high percentage of appointments, whereas the much lower percentage of white applicants translate into a much higher percentage of appointments.

“These facts do not in themselves provide evidence that racist attitudes are the cause but they do raise questions on the recruitment processes, which may inadvertently be biased towards particular groups.”

He said he found BAME staff are disproportionately more likely to lodge Dignity at Work policy complaints and be subject to misconduct procedures and advised there should be further scrutiny of both.

He said: “It is worth noting that no formal complaints have been received even though it was brought to my attention that the Independent Labour Group (ILG) had suggested, that up to 30 members of staff and elected members have alleged institutional racism at Harrow Council.

“However no one individual has come forward to provide any evidence in respect of the allegations, the complaints are not formally lodged or recorded and therefore no investigation has taken place.

“Thirty three of members of staff and councillors made representations, none of which provided any evidence of Institutional racism.”

Mr Babu’s recommendations included raising awareness among staff of keu faith and cultural events, developing a leadership and mentoring programme for BAME staff, commissioning a independent report into the disproportionality of BAME initiating Dignity At Work cases and being subject to misconduct proceedings, and developing a communication strategy specifically to explain its public sector equality duty and act as a mythbuster for misinformation.

MR BABU’S BRIEF

“Harrow Council is aware that a number of members of its staff and some elected members have made allegations of potentially discriminatory behaviour, based upon their race.

“The council takes these allegations very seriously and with one of the most diverse communities in the country to serve, it is important that the council puts in place appropriate mechanisms to review both these complaints and other views that have been expressed.

“The council therefore wishes to appoint an independent investigator to review the complaints and other views expressed, to carry out an investigation into the issues raised by these and in particular support a conclusion as to whether or not there is any truth in the allegations made that the council is ‘institutionally racist’.

“In reviewing these issues the council would like the investigator to ensure that the conclusions are accompanied with recommendations, which will help the council improve in its duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty and support the continued delivery of outcomes for the residents of Harrow.”