Race commission head resigns

The chairperson of the Commission for Racial Equality has
resigned after he was fined £500 for a public disorder
offence.

Gurbux Singh pleaded guilty to the offence at Bow magistrates
court. The incident involved a confrontation with police after a
cricket match last month,

Singh, who has held the post since May 2000, said he “deeply
regretted” the incident, adding that he believed his decision to
step down as chairperson was “in the best interests of both the CRE
and race relations in general”.

Beverley Bernard, deputy chairperson of the CRE, who will
replace Singh until a new person is appointed to his post, said:
“The commissioners would like to thank Gurbux for the crucial role
he has played in leading a programme of work that will improve the
lives and opportunities of people up and down the country.”