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Equality of opportunity for all is one of the key principles of the new Scottish Parliament, and the elimination of racial discrimination and racism is a vital part of delivering that principle in practice. It is therefore fitting that one of the first acts of the Scottish Executive is to publish this action plan for the implementation in Scotland of the recommendations of the Macpherson Report into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. No one can forget the tragic circumstances that led to this report and its conclusions. Although the events took place in London, they might have happened anywhere else. No part of the United Kingdom can claim to be free of racial prejudice and we are determined to take this opportunity to work towards racial equality in Scotland as part of a just and more equal society.
Scotland benefits from being a multicultural society and that ethnic diversity should be valued. All individuals, whatever their race or ethnic origin have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities. Racial discrimination and racism are harmful and unjust, not only to victims but also to the country as a whole because they prevent members of our community from making their full contribution to the life and wealth of the nation. The Scottish Executive believes that the recommendations of the Macpherson Report are of direct relevance to Scotland and will assist us in achieving our wider aim of eliminating racial discrimination and racism in our country.
The Scottish Parliament has a strong interest in equal opportunities for the delivery of devolved services where discrimination may occur. The Scotland Act allows the Parliament to give guidance on equal opportunities, to support the spread of best practice, to require Scottish public bodies to adopt equal opportunities policies and to monitor the effectiveness of those policies. A powerful Equal Opportunities Committee has been established by the Parliament. In addition the Scottish Executive has a responsibility to ensure that the promotion of racial equality and the eradication of racial discrimination is at the heart of all its policies. A new Equality Unit is being set up to support Scottish Ministers on equality issues and to work within the Scottish Executive to ensure that the potential impact of new and existing policies on particular groups, including ethnic minorities, is taken into account.
The action plan is inevitably addressed mainly towards the police service, which was the subject of most of the recommendations. However, the implications of the Macpherson Report go well beyond the police to other public, and indeed private, organisations. In particular, the definition of institutionalised racism that Sir William Macpherson formulated in his report is worth repeating here:
The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people.
The Scottish Executive endorses this definition and will be working to ensure that all organisations avoid complacency and guard against institutionalised racism. I would add to this that discrimination can also take place against an organisation's own staff. One of our priorities will be to give the lead by working to prevent any racism within the Scottish Executive.
The action plan lays out the next steps we intend to take to implement the Macpherson Report in Scotland. It has been prepared with great assistance from the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. The action plan is intended to act as a consultation document on the way ahead, and we welcome comments on the approach we are proposing to take in all areas. For a number of the recommendations it makes sense for us to follow the example set by the Home Secretary's action plan for England and Wales, or to await the outcome of further work he has set in train before reaching final decisions in Scotland. In other areas we have proposed a different approach.
To ensure success it is vital to set up a robust means of monitoring implementation of the recommendations of the Macpherson report. I intend to set up and chair a Steering Group. The Commission for Racial Equality, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, the Crown Office, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, and others will be invited to join the Group, which will oversee the programme of work outlined in the action plan. Amongst the Group's priorities will be a timetable for progressing the recommendations, and looking at how to implement key recommendations such as reporting and recording of racist incidents and racial awareness training for the police. In addition to the work of the Steering Group, progress on implementing the recommendations will be monitored through forces' annual reports and inspections by the Inspectorate of Constabulary. I have also considered asking for a thematic inspection on race and community policing. I have decided that I will not ask for such an inspection now but will look for one in a year to eighteen months time, when the implementation of the recommendations should start to take effect.
This action plan can only be the start of a process of implementing the Macpherson Report and of addressing the wider question of race equality in Scotland. Many people will have to contribute to the work that needs to be done, and I recognise that success will not be achieved overnight. However, I am committed to this task and I believe that this plan provides a valuable first step towards our goal of a fair and equal society for all our communities.
JIM WALLACE QC, MSP
Deputy First Minister
Minister for Justice
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