Racism row councillor faces suspension

Norman Thompson: No regrets

A Cornish councillor could be suspended for five years after saying he is racist.

Norman Thompson of Restormel Council said he did not regret the remark at a racial equality training session for Restormel councillors and officers.

He said he was trying to stimulate debate by drawing attention to positive discrimination.

But the leader of the council said he is "outraged" by the Conservative councillor's comments and has referred the issue to the Standards Board for England (SBE).

The newly-created SBE is responsible for promoting high ethical standards in local government.

If it thinks the matter is serious enough it can refer the case to an independent panel which may suspend the person or disqualify them from being a councillor or member for up to five years.

Mr Thompson admitted saying he was a racist, but said his words had been misinterpreted.

He said: "It was a wake-up call. I hoped it would create a reaction - a debate on positive discrimination."

Political correctness has gone too far

Norman Thompson

He said he was against positive discrimination - policies that aim to counteract the inferior position of groups that have been subjected to discrimination.

He said: "If I was employing someone, I would do so on merit, not on their ethnic background."

Des Curnow: "Extremely serious" issue

He added that he was not prejudiced against ethnic minorities.

"I would not discriminate," he said.

"I support the council's racial equality policy but political correctness has gone too far."

Restormel Council leader Des Curnow, who was not at the training session, said an official complaint had been received by the council.

It's not stimulated a debate in any way. It has just left our employees upset

Des Curnow

He said: "I do not think anyone would make a comment like that just to get a debate.

"I think his comments are extremely serious.

"We as a council are extremely proud of our racial equality policy.

"Race does not come into who we employ. I have been here since 1988 and things have not changed."

He added: "It's not stimulated a debate in any way.

"It has just left our employees upset."

No comment was available from the Conservative group on the council.