Mayor wades in over racism feud

South London Press

Mayor wades in over racism feud

Nov 19 2004
By Vicky Wilks

KEN Livingstone has repeated his call for a town hall to reinstate a sacked worker "victimised for raising the issue of racism".

The Mayor's call coincides with the third anniversary of homeless assessment officer Alex Owolade's dismissal by Lambeth council.

Mr Owolade lost his job of 13 years on November 20, 2001, with his bosses citing gross misconduct.

An employment tribunal found Mr Owolade's dismissal amounted to victimisation under the Race Relations Act.

In August, it ruled he should have his job back but Lambeth has appealed.

Mr Livingstone said: "Institutional racism must be rooted out of the public sector.

"This case is a clear example of a black worker being victimised for raising the issue of racism.

"Alex Owolade must be reinstated in accordance with the findings of the employment tribunal decision.

"Let's work together to defeat racism."

Mr Owolade has always believed he was sacked because, as a union shop steward, he supported two council workers in the community alarms service who said they were being victimised on race grounds.

When his case first went to an employment tribunal, Mr Owolade started a campaign to root out racism in the council which has continued since.

In a statement, the authority said it was "deeply disappointed" by Mr Livingstone's statement.

It stated: "The council opposed Mr Owolade's application for reinstatement in view of the personal verbal attacks he has made on managers within the council, including the chief executive, for which Mr Owolade was criticised by the tribunal.

"In all the circumstances the council does not consider that it is practicable for Mr Owolade to return to work in the housing department or indeed anywhere within the council.

"The campaign which Mr Owolade and his supporters has waged in the borough has engendered such antagonism that the relationship of trust and confidence which needs to exist between an employer and employee no longer exists and could no longer exist.

"The council strongly refutes the accusation of institutional racism levelled against Lambeth by Mr Livingstone."

It said it was addressing recommendations made after an independent inquiry into the community alarms service.

Council leader Councillor Peter Truesdale said: "We have made enormous progress on promoting racial equality and will continue to strive to do so.

"We are proud to have adopted a position of zero tolerance on discrimination."

Mr Owolade said: "For most workers the test of whether the council is really serious about making race equality a reality is whether I get reinstated.

"Lambeth council has a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of better race relations for the country."

Mr Owolade will lead a public march starting from Kennington Park at 1pm on Saturday.

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