THE BRITISH INQUISITION
The latest victim of the British Inquisition is a 10-year-old boy, who was reported to the police and then prosecuted after a name-calling spat in the school playground.
Allegedly, the 10-year-old had called another pupil a ‘Paki’ and ‘bin Laden’. The other pupil had also allegedly called the 10-year-old ‘white trash’.
Apparently, 3 boys were interviewed by the police, after a complaint from the mother of the alleged victim. The police gave 1 of the boys a reprimand and another a final warning [the boy had already been given a reprimand]. But the defendant did not agree to be given a reprimand, of which a record is kept on police file, after taking legal advice.
A reprimand may affect how the police treat someone at a future date if they break the law again.
At Salford Youth Court the boy denied a racially motivated offence. He admitted using the term ‘Paki’ only. The boy’s mother said that he was now friends again with the alleged victim, and that the boys play football and spend time in each other’s houses.
Judge Jonathan Finestein, presiding, urged the CPS to reconsider the decision to prosecute and said:
The judge adjourned the case until the 20 April so the Crown Prosecution Service can decide whether they wish to proceed with the prosecution.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said:
The leader of the NASUWT teaching union, Chris Keates, accused the judge, who is Jewish, of ‘feeding the pernicious agenda’ of right-wing extremists and that he was ‘trivialising racist taunts and abuse.’ She further said:
Mrs Keates’s remarks have attracted much criticism. Philip Davies MP has said:
Meanwhile, it has been announced by Labour that 5-year-olds are expected to show respect for other religions and cultures. New Government targets state that 5-year-olds will be required to understand that different people have their own rituals beliefs and celebrations.
In future, no doubt, Labour will be accusing 5-year-olds of racism.
The idea that 10-year-olds must be prosecuted for so-called race crimes for fear of extremist right-wing parties getting votes in local elections is as pathetic as it is obscene. The judge’s comments are correct. The NASUWT leader, Chris Keates, should resign.
Allegedly, the 10-year-old had called another pupil a ‘Paki’ and ‘bin Laden’. The other pupil had also allegedly called the 10-year-old ‘white trash’.
Apparently, 3 boys were interviewed by the police, after a complaint from the mother of the alleged victim. The police gave 1 of the boys a reprimand and another a final warning [the boy had already been given a reprimand]. But the defendant did not agree to be given a reprimand, of which a record is kept on police file, after taking legal advice.
A reprimand may affect how the police treat someone at a future date if they break the law again.
At Salford Youth Court the boy denied a racially motivated offence. He admitted using the term ‘Paki’ only. The boy’s mother said that he was now friends again with the alleged victim, and that the boys play football and spend time in each other’s houses.
Judge Jonathan Finestein, presiding, urged the CPS to reconsider the decision to prosecute and said:
‘There are major crimes out there and the police don’t bother to prosecute. If you get your car stolen it doesn’t matter but you get two kids falling out over racist comments - this is nonsense.
Have we really got to the stage where we are prosecuting 10-year-old boys because of political correctness?
Nobody is more against racist abuse than me but these are boys in a playground. I think somebody should consider reversing the decision to prosecute.’
The judge adjourned the case until the 20 April so the Crown Prosecution Service can decide whether they wish to proceed with the prosecution.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said:
‘We take all reports of crime seriously and remain totally opposed to racism in any form. We will continue to take appropriate action against anyone found to be acting in a racist manner and remain committed to the thorough, detailed investigation of any allegation.’
The leader of the NASUWT teaching union, Chris Keates, accused the judge, who is Jewish, of ‘feeding the pernicious agenda’ of right-wing extremists and that he was ‘trivialising racist taunts and abuse.’ She further said:
‘The timing of his remarks is particularly unfortunate. The local elections are imminent and candidates from the extreme Right are being fielded in many cities. Comments which dismiss racial abuse as “political correctness gone mad” simply feed the pernicious agenda of extremists.’
Mrs Keates’s remarks have attracted much criticism. Philip Davies MP has said:
‘People want to hear those in a position of responsibility speaking what is clearly common sense. It is the rubbish being spoken by the teaching unions which does the harm.’
Meanwhile, it has been announced by Labour that 5-year-olds are expected to show respect for other religions and cultures. New Government targets state that 5-year-olds will be required to understand that different people have their own rituals beliefs and celebrations.
In future, no doubt, Labour will be accusing 5-year-olds of racism.
The idea that 10-year-olds must be prosecuted for so-called race crimes for fear of extremist right-wing parties getting votes in local elections is as pathetic as it is obscene. The judge’s comments are correct. The NASUWT leader, Chris Keates, should resign.
posted by erc @ 3:02 pm
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