Mayor calls for Southwark race inquiry

Mayor Ken Livingstone has called on the Commission for Racial Equality to formally investigate alleged racism within Southwark council.

He said evidence of racism revealed in an independent report by former CRE chief Lord Ouseley was "damning", adding: "The report suggests discrimination against black and ethnic minority people in employment and delivery of services by the council."

He raised discrimination issues relating to the ?1.5 billion regeneration of Elephant and Castle.

Lord Ouseley's report, released yesterday, found that while Southwark had sound equality policies, they were not being properly implemented. The council says it will work hard to regain confidence, but it has not accepted Lord Ouseley's specific recommendations.