That this House celebrates the launch of the 2025 Fèis Rois Cèilidh Trail, a flagship summer tour showcasing some of Scotland’s most talented young traditional musicians; notes that three dynamic bands will perform across 24 locations from the Highlands to the Borders and as far as France, bringing Scottish music to village halls, castles, theatres, cafés and more; further notes that the project, founded by Fèis Rois in 2000, is now a leading professional development programme for emerging mu...
That this House expresses concern that 25 years after Jay Abatan was killed in a racist attack in Brighton his murderers have still not been brought to justice; notes that Sussex police have apologised to Jay Abatan's family for the multiple failures in the way the investigation was conducted, as revealed by subsequent reports into his murder; further notes that a 2010 inquest into Jay’s death returned a verdict of unlawful killing; considers that not all the overarching issues raised in the ...
That this House notes that the publication of the report of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities in March 2021 was met with immense disappointment and frustration by members of Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities across the country, and many racial justice organisations; is deeply concerned that the report largely seems to deny the existence of institutional racism in Britain, and in doing so has raised concerns that it reverses progress towards racial equality; is alarmed b...
That this House congratulates the winners of 2018's Mary Barbour Awards; understands that the awards were established by Parkhead Housing Association to recognise the unique role that women have contributed to the city of Glasgow; recognises that many women in Glasgow have followed the example set by Mary Barbour in campaigning on local and national issues; further congratulates the winner, Mary MacPherson, Director of the Family Addiction Support Service and long-time community activist in C...
That this House recognises that the Macpherson inquiry which followed the murder of Stephen Lawrence changed the way racism is perceived in Britain to a victim-led approach; believes that in order for victims or potential victims of racist abuse to have confidence in societal efforts to address discrimination they must help craft understanding of the racism to which they are being subjected; further believes the effect of racism can have repercussions irrespective of proven intent; notes that...
That this House congratulates Archie Macpherson on winning the Sunday Mail’s Great Scot Lifetime Achievement Award; notes that Mr Macpherson was born and raised in the Shettleston area of Glasgow, worked as a teacher before joining the BBC in 1969 and has worked for STV, Eurosport, Setanta Sports, Radio Clyde and TalkSport, as well as writing a number of books, throughout his distinguished career; and recognises and celebrates the immense contribution that the legendary commentator has made t...
That this House deplores the secret deal concluded in 2009 by the then West Yorkshire Police Authority which provided Chief Constable Norman Bettison with perks worth over £70,000 a year in addition to his salary of £170,000; points out that this sweetheart arrangement involved £34,594 a year for a private vehicle, despite him having a staff car and driver, £9,148 for health and well-being including private health insurance and gym membership, as well as half of all telephone bills; questions...
That this House recognises that stop and search powers are essential to the police in their fight to combat crime; reaffirms its support for recommendations 60 through to 63 of the Home Secretary's Action Plan published in March 1999; notes that these recommendations had the support of the official Opposition; recalls that the Action Plan was published in response to the recommendations of the Macpherson Inquiry into the events surrounding the murder of Stephen Lawrence; further notes that Lo...
That this House urges the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis to release to the public the Police Complaints Authority report into the suspicious death of the Asian teenager Lakhvinder 'Ricky' Reel, in line with the recommendations of the MacPherson inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, which called for greater openness and transparency; and on the anniversary of Ricky's death congratulates the Reel family for their determination and fortitude in their campaign to secure the publ...