CAMPAIGNERS of groups including Black Lives Matter UK say the report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities has "provoked national indignation".
In a letter to prime minister Boris Johnson they have asked to withdraw the report and instead look to implement recommendations of previous inquiries.
They also allege that the report "whitewashes the daily challenges faced by black and minoritised communities".
The government set up the commission in June last year, following anti-racism protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd in the US.
The report that was published last month said the country "no longer" has a system working against the people from ethnic minorities.
The report did admit that overt racism exists, particularly online, but said for removing race-based disparities in the society, UK should be regarded as a model for other white-majority countries.
After the report was out, Johnson reacting to its findings had said that he does not agree with everything in the report but wants to implement its recommendations.
The letter also said the report was "lacking in intellectual rigour" and urged Johnson to establish a task force to implement the recommendations made by previous inquiries.
The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities has said its work has been misrepresented and it had "never said that racism does not exist in society or in institutions".
"We say the contrary, racism is real and we must do more to tackle it," the commission had said in a statement last week.
"Robust debate we welcome. But to depict us as racism deniers, slavery apologists or worse is unacceptable."
The letter calling for the withdrawal of the report, has gained more than 20,000 signatures in 48 hours, and also receiving support from writer Afua Hirsch and actor Riz Ahmed.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)