Gypsies accuse Howard of racism

Conservative leader Michael Howard is being investigated by the
police after being accused of inciting racial hatred towards
gypsies.

The Metropolitan Police investigation follows a complaint by the
Gypsy Council for Education, Culture, Welfare and Civil Rights.

The complaint was reportedly prompted by a speech last month in
which Howard laid out a controversial five-point plan on
travellers’ rights, including a pledge to make trespass by
travellers a criminal offence.

A Conservative Party spokesperson denounced the allegation as
“utterly absurd”, and said Howard had been clear that only a tiny
minority of gypsies did not abide by the law.

She added: “It is not racist to highlight problems with Britain’s
planning law.”