John Baron

Conservative Party | Billericay and District

John Baron MP recommends Essex Racial Equality Council’s Lottery funding is cut

MP writes to the Chief Executive of the National Lottery

John Baron MP has written to the Chief Executive of the National Lottery recommending that funding be withdrawn from the Essex Racial Equality Council. This comes on the back of a letter from the Council to John in which they state that “there are on-going community tensions as a result of the actions of Basildon Council to evict the travelling community from Dale Farm and surrounding areas.”

In his response to the Council, John said:

“As a result of the clear bias you have shown, I have reported Essex Racial Equality Council to the Chief Executive of The National Lottery recommending that funding be withdrawn. In order to pursue racial equality, a fair and balanced approach is essential. In my view, you have exhibited a bias which should not be funded by the public.”

“The reason some travellers at Crays Hill face eviction is because they have contravened planning regulations and indicate they won’t leave peacefully. Basildon Council is therefore right to pursue eviction if necessary, in order to ensure the law is enforced equally and fairly across the whole community.”

“We are not looking to discriminate against a minority. Indeed, we have over 100 authorised sites and pitches across the District, far more than any other authority in Essex. All we ask is that everyone who lives in our community abides by our regulations and law, otherwise we discriminate against those who do.”