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Question
The MP questioned why Yorkshire county cricket club mishandled serious allegations of discrimination over a long period, leading to a need for concrete actions from the Government. He highlighted that nearly 30% of grassroots players are from ethnic minority backgrounds but only 4% have professional contracts and called for independent scrutiny by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Minister reply
The Minister agreed with criticism and noted that Yorkshire's conduct in brushing issues under the carpet was unacceptable, condemning it unreservedly. He highlighted the need for transparency in investigations and stressed the importance of holding ECB accountable to increase ethnic minority representation as per their partnership agreement.
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Question
I stand in solidarity with the hon. Member for Stockport, recognising his constituency and my own through an example of action taken against racism in Worthing. I emphasise that if the EHRC is to take on a deeper role, it will need extra funding and suggest that the Government talk to them about this.
Minister reply
I associate myself with your wise words. The House should stand together against racism wherever it occurs in society. While the EHRC is independent, I agree that its work is encouraged by the House and its funding arrangements are under review.
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Question
I thank my hon. Friend for securing the urgent question. Racism destroys lives and must be investigated properly, fairly and transparently. The handling of Azeem Rafiq's case was problematic, with the board needing to leave their posts due to their role in this shameful fiasco. The EHRC should formally investigate.
Minister reply
We should avoid making party political points on such occasions. We need to ensure that the ECB investigation is independent and transparent, support Cindy Butts's commission, and support the EHRC’s work. I agree with your remarks about the board of the cricket club.
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Question
Thanking the hon. Member for Stockport, I express my dismay at Yorkshire's institutional racism and support Lord Patel’s efforts to turn the club around. The report should be in our hands today. This is a national problem within cricket, necessitating better whistleblowing procedures and prominent figures like Ebony Rainford-Brent and Michael Holding being front and centre.
Minister reply
I agree entirely with your comments. I want to make it clear that the Select Committee and the Government should receive copies of the report, which should be put into the public domain immediately. Your remarks were made with great eloquence and power.
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Question
Racism has no place in cricket or society. Azeem Rafiq must be commended for his bravery, while Yorkshire’s actions have been disgraceful. The credibility of the report’s findings is questionable, especially regarding racist terms being termed “friendly banter”. Does the Minister have confidence that the ECB can oversee a culture change given its repeated warnings about this issue?
Minister reply
Racist abuse is not banter and should be called out. I have high confidence in Cindy Butts’s independent commission for equity in cricket, which will look into these issues along with the EHRC.
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Question
Thanking the hon. Member for Stockport, I urge my hon. Friend to ensure that those responsible for using racist language are sanctioned, as well as those who described it as “banter”.
Minister reply
Agreeing with your comments, such language is clearly not banter and should face consequences.
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Question
Can I first join others in condemning the vile language directed at Azeem Rafiq and the blatant culture of racism that has been exposed? It is shocking that, even after all this, this House has requested a copy of the full report and been denied it. The failure to change only boards and not the culture must be addressed with a top-to-bottom review.
Minister reply
I agree that root and branch change is needed at Yorkshire cricket club and across cricket more widely. Cindy Butts, an anti-racism campaigner, will lead the independent commission for equity in cricket to address these issues.
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Question
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Navendu Mishra) for securing this question and I thank Azeem Rafiq for his bravery. The Minister and other members of the Government need to meet with the all-party parliamentary group on British Muslims so that we can reach a definition of Islamophobia.
Minister reply
I repeat my admiration for Azeem Rafiq’s courage in standing up to racism at Yorkshire county cricket club. I will convey the question to my hon. Friend the Minister for Equalities, Kemi Badenoch, and ask her to make contact urgently with the hon. Lady.
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Question
Yorkshire county cricket club failed our entire Yorkshire community and the whole sporting community. Does my hon. Friend agree that the ECB must now take responsibility for neglecting racism in cricket?
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend that the failings at Yorkshire county cricket club are deep and have been long lasting. My colleague the sport Minister met the ECB last week to raise exactly those issues, to hold it to account and to make clear that the expectation of Parliament and the public is that it takes responsibility for fixing the problems.
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Question
We are talking about structural racism and institutional inequality in society. Does the Minister agree that community sports projects run in the community, which bring people of different faiths and backgrounds together, are key to breaking racism in sport?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is quite right to point to grassroots sport as the place where everything starts and the place where culture is set. I think the person he should meet is the sport Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Worcestershire; he will readily agree.
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Question
This appalling case follows several high-profile examples of racism in other sports this year. What steps have the Government taken to develop an anti-racism strategy across all sports?
Minister reply
In relation specifically to football, we extended the scope of football banning orders to cover not just racist abuse happening in football grounds, but racist abuse perpetrated by fans online. The online safety Bill is designed to address racist abuse online more widely.
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Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
I associate myself and my party with remarks already made in this place. Racism is absolutely unacceptable anywhere. May I recommend to Her Majesty’s Government that they talk to the Scottish Government about what has been done north of the border?
Minister reply
We always talk to Administrations around the whole United Kingdom, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that this Government’s commitment to stamping out racism in cricket and sport is absolute.
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Question
I ask the Minister exactly what steps his Department will be taking to break the cycle of discrimination and encourage true diversity in sport.
Minister reply
Diversity and inclusion run through the entire ethos of DCMS’s interaction with sporting bodies. On cricket, Cindy Butts’s independent commission for equity in cricket is designed to address exactly the questions raised.
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Question
I agree with the remarks that have already been made this afternoon. To tackle racism requires leadership. If the Minister is going to bring his words to life, he needs to commit today to implementing a proper race equality strategy.
Minister reply
When we saw the racist abuse suffered by footballers in the final of the European championships at Wembley last summer, there was universal condemnation followed by action. The Government will be coming forward with a further plan in that area.
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Question
May I strongly associate myself with the praise for Azeem Rafiq, condemn institutional racism at Yorkshire cricket club, and ask about decreasing the gap in sports participation between white British people and British Asians? Also, should fans have a seat on the board of cricket clubs?
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the issue of increasing sports participation across all backgrounds. He also supports considering fan representation on boards as part of Cindy Butts’s review, focusing on governance issues at Yorkshire county cricket club.
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Question
What actions is the Minister taking to stamp out discrimination in cricket and sport?
Minister reply
The minister mentions an independent commission for equity in cricket chaired by Cindy Butts, which will address issues of race and class. He also notes that the Equality and Human Rights Commission is conducting inquiries.
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Question
How can we investigate institutional racism in cricket beyond Yorkshire county cricket club?
Minister reply
The minister supports a root-and-branch investigation, stating that the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket will look into issues across cricket more widely.
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Question
Does he agree that those caught in racist acts should not have the privilege to play or watch cricket? What steps can be taken to implement a zero tolerance policy on racism?
Minister reply
The minister agrees and mentions that the ECB has already suspended players guilty of racially abusing Azeem Rafiq. He calls for consequences such as suspensions when unacceptable behaviour is found.