Cabinet Minister Faces Police Probe Over Allegations of Racism
Cabinet minister David T.C. Davies faces a police investigation for an election leaflet allegedly using racist language to attack Labour’s plans to put a traveller site in his constituency. The Mail has more.
Complaints were made to both Gwent Police and the Equality and Human Rights Commission after David T.C. Davies, the Welsh Secretary, distributed a campaign leaflet about proposed housing sites for travellers.
The Conservative MP for Monmouth has been accused of using racist language in the leaflet, which was titled: “Gypsy and traveller site coming to your area soon!” In the document, he alleged that the Labour-controlled council is looking to build several traveller sites without enough public consultation.
He also wrote that the council is planning a short consultation “during the summer holiday period when many residents will be unable to participate”.
Locals were asked a number of questions including “Would you like to see a traveller site next to your house?” According to the Times, police have confirmed they are looking into the leaflet.
Detective Inspector Steve Thomas said: “Officers are reviewing the content of the leaflet and its impact on the gypsy and traveller and settled communities in Monmouthshire.
“We take any allegation of discrimination extremely seriously and we’re committed to ensuring our communities are safe places and welcoming for all.” The charity Travelling Ahead, which works with gypsies and travellers, said the MP was carrying out “dog-whistle actions intended to create a hostile environment”.
Worth reading in full.
Stop Press: Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has leapt to David TC Davies’ defence, saying the leaflet sent by the Welsh Secretary to constituents was not racist.
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Can we charge the Police with ‘Wasting Police Time.’…?
Or even charge the Police with ‘Wasting Public Time’ because that is all they seem to do.
As far as I can see the only thing my taxes fund that works properly is bin collection.
Which bit was “racist” sorry?
I think “gypsy” is considered racist – not sure why. Ask a gypsy? I think “gypsy” used to mean someone of Romani origin. Not sure there are many in the UK. Think part of my family were, way back. Not the same as Traveller who I think are basically Irish. Don’t know if they have much in common other than being a small semi-nomadic community. Perhaps conflating the two is a bit thoughtless and rude.
I think referring to any ethnic group other than white people is racist unless you are saying they are wonderful.
Both the terms “Gypsy” and “Traveller” are often used in local government, such as this Wiltshire CC site: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/gypsies-travellers-council-owned Of course, from time to time groups move around and occupy other patches of land, especially if it appears to be disused by others – often Council owned land as well.
Didicoy is the correct term for a non full bloodied romany!
I guess that’s me then! Not sure I find the lifestyle attractive. Whichever ancestor of mine decided to settle down in one place did me a favour.
Romas originally came from North India in the 13th century and when they arrived in Europe where mistaken for Egyptians because of their dark complection so they where nicknamed Gypsy’s or Gypo’s, none of this history is racist just mis identification!
It’s racists because the moniker was chosen by racists and that they did is proof that they are. Arguing about etymology with a woghurt is about as useful as trying explain the concept of height to a stick figure.
In mid-Kent people called them “dids”. And “pikeys” of course. Many were responsible and law-abiding; many were loathed – especially on the Cranbrook to Staplehurst road where they provocatively held up rush-hour traffic with their traps pulled by piebald ponies. And they got up to – how shall I put it – worse than that.
Pikey??
Openly opposing a Labour-led council on behalf of concerned residents, obviously. If we let this pass, this guy is probably going to claim that his wife is a woman next!
I would not like to see a Traveller site next to my house. If that makes me a racist, so be it.
What about a new 24Hr Tesco superstore, or are you a shopist as well?
Definitely a NIMBY.
Tesco Supermarkets haven’t nicked my garden gates, in all fairness.
But their Tikka Hedgehog Bites are pretty good.
But neither have they offered to tarmac your drive for a bargain price.
This has just reminded me that one of my favourite biscuits as a kid was a ‘Gypsy Cream’. I’ll bet this brand was deemed “politically incorrect” yonks ago and ditched.🙁
I wonder if we can still refer to Geordies or Maccams, or would that be racist?
People who hail from Oldham are known as “ruffyheads.”
Hmm, that’s pejorative. Definitely court time on the back of that slur. I must have a word with a plod acquaintance.
I quite like the fact that this Minister is being investigated.
There’s more chance of the lazy ar$e$ in the Not-a-Conservative-Party, who have done nothing to oppose or amend the Equality Act, doing something when they are falling foul of the flawed legislation.
My daughter worked in Wiltshire and they had a family of Romanies who used to regularly visit their neighbourhood, who behaved well, tided up and were well liked.
Elsewhere I have encountered and suffered the activities of other travellers (unknown race but generally rumoured to be white Irish) who broke barriers to enter site (whilst police watched on) and left fields covered in rubbish and broken glass. One of the two sites provided for them to stay was comprehensively wrecked and the toilet blocks and wash rooms destroyed with rubbish piled 20 feet high against a railway embankment.
This MP was perfectly right to warn his constituents of an inadequate consultation process for sites in their area.
It’s not racist and is just drawing people’s attention to something they should have a right to be involved in their local governments decisions about. Do they have a local plan that includes this? Has proper informed planning consent for this been achieved? This is not an issue for the police, who should be concentrating their time on real crime.