A Conservative front-bencher has caused outrage after claiming that being
called a "black bastard" is part-and-parcel of life for ethnic
minorities in the Armed Forces.
Patrick Mercer, the Tories' Shadow Homeland Security Minister and a former
colonel in the Army, also provoked controversy by saying that when he served
with the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters before becoming an MP, he
knew "a lot" of ethnic minority servicemen in the Army who used
perceived discrimination as an excuse for poor performance.
Mr Mercer, who came into politics after a long Army career, was speaking to Times
Online about the formation of a new anti-racism trade union being set up
by servicemen from former colonial countries, which he described as "complete
and utter rot".
The MP for Newark's comments are likely to embarrass David Cameron, the
Conservative leader, who is desperate to make his party more open and
inclusive and move it towards the political centreground.
Responding to the comments, the Tories said the remarks were a private matter
as Mr Mercer was expressing a view based on his experiences in the Armed
Forces, which had no relation to his frontbench portfolio.
However, they were condemned by the Runnymede Trust, an the ethnic minority
pressure group, as "entirely inappropriate" and "completely
unhelpful", with the organisation's director saying they were
particularly disappointed that they came from a senior MP.
Mr Mercer said that suffering racial abuse - as well as abuse about facial
features, hair-colour and weight - was common in the Army, and to be
expected.
"I had the good fortune to command a battalion that was racially very
mixed. Towards the end, I had five company sergeant majors who were all
black. They were without exception UK-born, Nottingham-born men who were
English - as English as you and me. They prospered inside my regiment, but
if you'd said to them: 'Have you ever been called a nigger,' they would have
said: 'Yes.' But equally, a chap with red hair, for example, would also get
a hard time - a far harder time than a black man, in fact," he said.
"But that's the way it is in the Army. If someone is slow on the assault
course, you'd get people shouting: 'Come on you fat bastard, come on you
ginger bastard, come on you black bastard.'"
Mr Mercer added that he knew soldiers from ethnic minority backgrounds who
used racism as an excuse for poor performance.
"I came across a lot of ethnic minority soldiers who were idle and
useless, but who used racism as cover for their misdemeanours," he
said.
"I remember one guy from St Anne's (Nottingham) who was constantly absent
and who had a lot of girlfriends. When he came back one day I asked him why,
and he would say: 'I was racially abused.' And we'd say: 'No you weren't,
you were off with your girlfriends again.'"
Condemning the announcement of the formation of a new trade union proposed by
Marlon Clancy, a serving soldier who was recruited from the Commonwealth in
1999 and complained of several incidents where he was racially abused, the
MP for Newark said: "Absolute nonsense. Complete and utter rot."
He added: "In my experience, when you put on the uniform then all
differences disappear. If you are a good soldier, you will do well. If you
are a bad soldier, you will leave prematurely. There is a degree of
colour-blindness among the vast majority of soldiers.
"I never came across a piece of nastiness inside the battalion that was
based exclusively on racism."
Michelynn Lafleche, chairwoman of the Runnymede Trust, a charity which
provides information and advice on racial equality issues, said that Mr
Mercer's comments were "shocking".
"That is an entirely inappropriate response," she said.
"This is entirely the sort of thing that we have laws in place to deal
with. Racial discrimination and racial harassment are against the law no
matter who you are, and that means the Armed Forces as well.
"Other organisations have taken racism very seriously such as the police,
as well as the Army and the Navy, in fact. Mr Mercer's reaction is entirely
inappropriate, completely unhelpful, and really quite shocking.
"They are certainly inappropriate for an MP who is meant to be
representing a constituency in which, I am sure, ethnic minority residents
live."
The Conservative Party, in which Mr Mercer serves as a frontbench spokesman
with responsibility for homeland security and anti-terrorism issues, said
that his comments were a personal matter and refused to discuss them.
"These are the personal views of a highly decorated former commanding
officer talking about his real life experiences in the British Army," a
party spokesman said.
The controversy came after Mr Clancy, who is from Belize, said he was setting
up his trade union because the 6,000 serving Commonwealth troops in the UK
were being treated as "third class soldiers".
The union will not have the right to strike under Armed Forces rules, but will
be able to confidentially advise ethnic minority servicemen and women in the
event of discrimination or other problems, he said.
"Commonwealth soldiers are third class soldiers. First you have
British-born white soldiers, then you have the British-born black soldier,
then, last, you have the black Commonwealth soldier," he told the BBC.
"I am hoping this will open up a doorway for the Army to let these people
know of their rights and give them what they are entitled to, and the
justice they are entitled to as well."
Mr Clancy said that he had decided to launch the union after his complaints -
including an attack by fellow soldiers dressed in Ku Klux Klan outfits -
were ignored by the Army chain of command.
"As a serving soldier I’ve gone through the chain of command time and
time again within the seven-and-a-half years I’ve been in the Army and time
and time again the chain of command has failed me," he said.
In response to his announcement, the Ministry of Defence claimed there was "absolutely
no evidence" of systematic racism within the British Army, and said its
own procedures were in place to combat the problem when it arose.
"There is absolutely no evidence to support allegations of endemic racism
in the Army – last year there were 26 complaints," a spokesman
said.
"We investigate all substantive allegations of racism and would encourage
anyone who has experience inappropriate behaviour to come forward.
"The Army goes to great lengths to ensure that all soldiers, irrespective
of their race or ethnic origin have given the opportunity to fulfil their
full potential.
"We are very conscious of the additional challenges faced by Commonwealth
soldiers and their families.
"This is why we have put in place special provisions including leave
arrangements that allow Commonwealth soldiers to return to their home
countries."
Black soldiers liberated Europe fighting against the Nazi-brave boys of 14-up where adducted in african grasslands and sent after few days of trainings they died brave- many managed to return home and liberate their countries and live and die in poverty without any honor from Europe! Black people are still being recruted from everywhere cheaply , using their misfortunes and sent to war zones even today. A black man learned that he has to die first during assaults - that' s why he must pretend to perform bad to save his life! Please give them descent jobs home instead of trading with their lives!
Jean, Paris, France
If I were English I would vote for the BNP. Not because I want to see them in power, but because they are the only ones brave enough to challenge this kind of guff. Down with the P.C. hypoctrite ideologies! it is doing untold damage to all European nations.
Eamon, Cork, Ireland
I think that the British public should be able to expect that anyone representing its people to have a level of skill in communication that Mr Mercer has failed to display; hence, he should be offered some retraining.
I think that to follow the Jade/Shipla fiasco with these comments and not expect to pay the price was unwise. Afterall, the Tory Party is in the business to win votes not lose them.
Perhaps it should be compulsory, if it isn't as yet, that all who aspire to high office should undertake Equality and Diversity training.
Tony, Peterborough, UK
Apparently it is regarded by our PC brethren as unforgivable racism to refer disparagingly to a racial characteristic of a man who is black, but not so if the man is white. If calling someone a 'black bastard' is racist, then why is it not racist to call a white man a 'ginger bastard'?
Black skin is a racial charactersitic that a black man is born with and cannot change. Similarly, 'ginger' colouration is a characteristic that only occurs in white people. Red hair, pale skin and freckles are the racial charactersitics of a minority of the white race.
The PC brigade are themselves racist, as they are happy to ignore racism against white people while constantly complaining about racism against black people.
Readers will no doubt recall how often the the following terms are used in the media without a single complaint by the PC brigade; 'Ginger barstard; 'white trash'; cracker; honky; and 'blonde moment'. All these terms are racist.
Larry Nunn, Northampton, UK
Patrick Mercer isn't racist. He ran a tight command and was well respected by his men. All five of his black Sergeant Majors have confirmed this.
The Armed Forces is all about generating expertise, loyalty, camaraderie and respect. Anyone seen not pulling their weight will be highlighted very quickly indeed, regardless of ethnicity.
Shocking as it must seem to some of our more sensitive folk, but the British Army really has bigger things to worry about than name calling and ribbing on an assault course.
Ashley, Vancouver, Canada
Patrick Mercer, the frontbench Tory MP and John Reid, the Labour Home Secretary, should both resign from their respective parties and apply to join the National Front. Mr. Reid with his repatriation offer offer of 3500 Pounds will be very welcome in NF ranks with the racist ideas that he has been peddling recently. H e should take Patrick Mercer with him to add to his own particular brand of venom.
Ali, Birmingham,
It will not be long before we are unable to discriminate against the politicians
Arch Wernham, Wishaw, Scotland
The way he has been portrayed as racist is absurd. He has been asked for his opinions on a new union which is to represent minority rights. All he has done is not fudge the issue and talk about the experiences he had in the army with minorities - some, some bad.
There is a certain amount of racism in the army but that is dealt with already. Which of the distinctions made on race is his examples ('black bastard', 'used racism as a cover') is worse?
The idea that the army and war in general are gentle affairs where the standards of what is acceptable are similar to those in an office is ridiculous.
His only error was to offer his personal opinion and not check party policy which has meant the front bench will be denied one of its more interesting inhabitants.
Alastair, Reading,
I find this headline more offensive than anything Mr Mercer said, it's deliberately misleading and cost him his position for telling the truth. When his comments are taken in context there is nothing that anyone who has served in the forces will not recognise as being exactly what happens in training. I would prefer Mr Mercer as an MP than any puppet who just does and says what he is told.
Geoff, Derby,
I feel that Patrick Mercer was simply addressing an issue related to race and that the United Kingdom and all its ethnic groups particularly those within parliament, need to be able to do this without branding anyone a racist. He did not at any point condone racism and this is just another example of opportunists within the political establishment and the media making a mountain out of a molehill.
Jethro Dixon, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England
With comments like this, no wonder the armed forces has a problem with recruiting people from the ethnic minorities. As he states they are his private thoughts! I did consider joining the armed forces, and was assured by the recruiters that the armed forces was changing. Even though my parents warned me against it!
Well if a decorated officer thinks its entirely acceptable to refer to a black person by their colour, I wonder what all the other NCO's and regular white squadies are thinking!!!!
Luckly I didn't make the grade...
I am wondering what are Mr Mercer OBE's views on women in the armed forces, and what kind of insults they should expect to receive!
I know that Mr Mercer served his country with great valour
but that does not excuse him from joining the rest of society in the 21st Century.
Raj Singh, London, United Kingdom
I'm worried that I've not been able to find a transcript of exactly what Patrick Mercer said - selected quotations in articles are not good in allowing the reader to reach their own opinion independent, unbiased opinion.
Jack Garrett-Jones, London, UK
Mr Mercer has always been a straight talker, and maybe politics needs this? Is not his quote being taken out of context? The whole interview is an honest reflection of Army life. He also refers to his old regiment where there was racial harmony, but more importantly military efficiency. He also refers to a Regiment where racial minorities where given an equal chance.
For a society to live in harmony, does it not require honest and open debate?
Sigurd Willoughby, Norway,
I had the honour of serving alongside Patrick Mercer. His devotion to his soldiers - all of them - was never in doubt. The only prejudice he had was against those who neglected to aspire to the highest standards of professional competence. Michael Portillo described him this evening as a 'clot'; a man with ample practical experience but an amateur politician who failed to avoid controversy. Which profession, I wonder, is held in higher esteem in Britain today: army officer or politician? Give me the straight-talking voice of experience any day.
Paul Fox, Huntingdon,
I am as black as the Ace of Spades and P. Mercer is absolutely correct. He was not being racist. Being racist is saying: You are black, I am not giving you a job( or whatever). Calling me a 'black bastard' is NOT being racist, simply questioning my parentage. If I had my way, I would dismantle the race industry bandwagon....PERMANENTLY.
David Kay, Norwich,
This man has told the truth as he sees it, for an MP quite an achievement he should be praised for his honesty not dismissed.
Alistair Seymour, Peterborough, England
I have served with Patrick Mercer and enjoy being a constituent of an honest and hardworking MP. He has a love of his constituents from whatever party and whatever their ethnicity. He has two faults we love - straight as a die and tells you what he believes. He obviously has one perceived fault that Mr Cameron cannot accept, that of being politically naive. In the main, his constituents will continue to support him for his unstinting support to them. They may be less enthusiastic about PC Cameron with his bewildering wish to be all things to all people.
Dr John Tinsley, Newark, Notts
If the public actually read the Times article , instead of just listening to the news headlines, they will see that Mr Mercer is making the point that what some people may consider to be racism in the army actually isn't. Any soldier can succeed if they have aptitude, drive and commitment. All soldiers are "beasted" as part of the basic training, motivation and toughening up process. They are combat soldiers, not Social Workers. It's no use having soldiers who break down crying just because someone has passed a cutting comment about their hair,colour or weight!
It is sad that it is acceptable to sack someone just for explaining how things actually are in the real world. Being from an ethnic origin is not an obstacle to success in the modern army, but it seems that speaking honestly is a barrier to success in the conservative party.
It's a bit disheartening that this story is being spun to suggest that Mr Mercer is somehow a racist, when he clearly is not.
A Watson, Derby,
I am an ex-royal marine commando and of mixed ethnic origin and i agree with what Mr Mercer has to say an belive the statement has been blown out of context.
People are always called names in the forces for everything from being ginger to being black or for simple things like which county your from, for the most part its just banter and shouldnt be taken seriously, its all to do with the dfferent sense of humour that the forces have.
And for the record ginger people get a far harder time than any one from an ethnic back ground :-)
People these days are way to politcally correct and need to take a break from it.
malcolm, hull, yorkshire
Being of Mixed Race and having served in the Army although there were a few unpleasent individuals there was not a culture of racism within the armed forces, or none that I could see anyway..I failed my commision board but could not put that down to racism, the commsion board process was more than fair..
BX, London,
The armed forces require tough individuals with true grit. Volunteers are not going to be of the politically correct persuasion and will often be quick to call it as they see it, even if this does offend our civvy street liberal mores. If you are sensitive to being called something which refers to some physical feature you may have, do not join the armed forces. Simple as that. I want our soldiers to be good at being soldiers. I could care less if they are a bit rough and ready with social interchange. Thank you Mr Mercer for being honest about this. But of your politician colleagues, expect to be left standing alone. The merest whiff of"racial discrimination" is as effective as the appearance of a skunk.
JC, London, UK
I know Patrick Mercer well. A good, sound man who is not afraid to offer his opinion. He is absolutely correct in what he says, and suggests.
We live in an age of hypocricy and political correctness.
Because someone has had the guts to offer an opinion, the system cries "shock, horror".
Pat Mercer is no racist, I know that for sure. Oh yes, minor point, I too am Black.
Bryan Poole, Coventry, England
I am appalled by Mercer's remarks. He has shown a level of ignorance that is totally unacceptable for someone who has been well educated. The Tories should make him more accountable as a front bencher instead of trying to distance themselves from his "personal views". This would be an opportunity for Senior Ministers to show that lessons have been learned from cases such as Stephen Lawrence.
Kate Greenwood, London,
He added: "In my experience, when you put on the uniform then all differences disappear. If you are a good soldier, you will do well. If you are a bad soldier, you will leave prematurely. There is a degree of colour-blindness among the vast majority of soldiers. "I never came across a piece of nastiness inside the battalion that was based exclusively on racism."
Absolutely spot on! Pat Mercer is an experienced commander and knows what hes talking about, unlike some of the do-gooders of this world.
I wouldn't deny that there may be the odd 'serious' racist around, but then there are some are in every society, however, the military usually manages to sort them out in short order! Contray to much popular opinion racism works in many directions and its not just confined to white vs black either.
Mike Asacret, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Injudicious and probably inappropriate and unfortunate, given the Conserrvatives desire to both be and be perceived as, inclusive. But by no means shocking as the chairwoman of the Runnymede Trust is quoted as claiming.
It's life, the guy was saying it like it really is (which in the past has been a rare attribute among the Tories!).
Occam, Solihull, UK
Wow! What a refreshing change....that is, when you read the comments made by this gentleman in context instead of an attention-grabbing headline. Can we have more politicians like this one, please.
Mary Allen, England,
Next thing you know will be army trade unions for ginger soldiers, fat soldiers and even short soldiers.
Peter, Hook, Hants
i also have great respect for this man for actually speaking out and voicing his opinion rather than sticking to the pathetic state of this country and the 'political correctness' which has gotten way out of hand. i too have experience of discrimination from the army, and it is not true when they claim to ensure all soldiers reach their potential, this is a load of bollocks quite frankly. good on him for speaking out.
jb, s'hampton, uk
I respect Patrick Mercers bravery in "telling it how it is" in the Armed forces. Perhaps Commonwealth troops should be allowed some form of organised support group, but it is beyond belief how quick some are to condemn a man who dares to say something "politically incorrect".
His critics are probably the same people who blast the Police force because someone, who happens to be black, does not get an automatic promotion!
John Robinson, Bromley, Kent
It is very refreshing to hear an honest MP speak his mind. Im sure that the British Army has put to bed any of the inbuilt racism that has long lied within the ranks for many years, since the time of the empire. Last year throught the whole of the British Army there were only 26 cases reported, shoing that these are infact isolated incidents. And i for one can fully empathise with what Mr Mercer talks of, slow people on an assault course holding up their regiment, should rightly expect to get a 'rib-jabbing' from the rest of the regiment, who do not want a punishment for the poor performance of an other soldier.
Matt Beech, Lancaster, Lancashire
Dave's really going to have to purge these jerks. Do we want another ten years of control freak socialism? Surely the Conservative Party can find people that live in this century to be MP's.
ian Mitchell, Camberley, UK
Only those who have not served in the armed forces would disagree with Patrick Mercer's comments. Performance and reliabilty are all that matter. Any means that can determine that surely must prevail. Would you want your son or daughter under the command of someone who got upset at an utterance designed to cause offence? What would happen to discipline if someone who took offence in a riot decided to react to such remarks?
Peter Trigg , London , UK
Anyone who thinks soldiers are not subject to insults, mockery and name-calling is deluding themselves, and I respect Patrick Mercer for having the courage to be frank about his experiences in the army.
While it is not admirable that he openly condones racist insults - and while I agree that he should have been asked to resign for doing so - I have a feeling there would have been 'outrage' from over-sensitive liberals whether he had condoned this reality or simply reported it.
Andy, Oxted,
The way this story is presented in the headline and opening paragraph seems to be deliberately misleading. Mr Mercer is clearly not condoning racism. On the contrary, he is doing quite the opposite. Why does the media insist on demonising anyone with the strength of character to address these issues? We need more politicians, not fewer, who are willing to express their genuine opinions, instead of relying on focus groups to identify the 'middle ground.'
Then people would be motivated to vote again.
Edward Bullen, Birmingham,
as an antirascist labour supporter i agree 100% with mr mercers comments.everyone gets called names at some point in their life and i applaud his commonsense view.
MARK WATTS, hereford, shire
this is a true description of military life, in uniform everything disappears except performance. If you are good you will rise to the top if weak you will leave. Verbal abuse to drive you forward works in this particular type of aggressive environment and would be a disaster in civilian life.
LWM, london,
So, Cameron's Tories haven't actually changed at all, have they? How depressing.
guy, london, england
I can't understand what all the fuss is about. Armed Services training is designed to push trainees to their limit - not only physically but emotionally and psychologically as well.
It is imperitive that they behave in a cohesive and professional manner when under extreme pressure, and this can only be ascertained by putting the trainees in 'uncomfortable' situations.
How do you think someone will react to being surprised by half a dozen marauding knife wielding hostiles if they can't take a bit of basic name calling?
Sam, Sheffield, UK
The solution to this little saga is simple: deport Michelynn Lafleche, chairwoman of the tiresome and leftist Runnymede Trust forthwith, and then tear up her passport. Ooops, sorry, was that me being sexist?
Errol Flynn, Chester, England
The army is not racist!!!
Where is this Patrick Mercer living, he must come from another planet if he thinks there is no racism.
Why does it hurt more to be called a black ------, than a red haired -------?
Because it is a reiteration of the past, the glorification of the Empire, it reminds one of the humiliation and the wrongs done in the name of the empire against the colonials, the Black, the Browns and the rest.
It is time to stand your ground and accept the fact that Britain is and has had racism as an inbuilt genetic deformity and tries to live in the past, thinking it is still an empire, via USA.
Shahzad, London, UK
I actually respect this man for being honest about some of his observations.
Whether we choose to accept it or not, much of the British Army doctrine is based around aggression, insult and mockery, and as he identified, is not exclusive to just people with non-white skin.
If we turn a blind eye to people exploiting political correctness then we really have failed as a society in dealing with the true issues of racism.
Alex, Southampton, UK
Good grief - a straight talking MP - now that's something we don't get very often
Ian Bain, Maidenhead, Berkshire
You may wish to review the quotation here -
"Other organisations have taken racism very seriously such as the police, as well as the Army and the Navy, in fact. Mr Mercer's reaction is entirely inappropriate, completely helpful, and really quite shocking. "
Is it really 'completely helpful'?
Richard Cory-Wright, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland
Once again, complete common sense is presented as outrageous and the waffling of types from the Runnymead Trust is given the weight of reason. Why headline the 'story' like this? Why take the mans comments completely out of context when he is basically saying that he believes the army should be colour blind and that in preparing men to be shot at, worrying about racial sensitivities is nothing more than a ludicrous affectation. Why do you think sensible people wont discuss such things publicly, yet the appeal of the BNP spreads. With the help of pieces like this, the Runnymead Trust and their sympathisers may well claim to dominate the 'discussion' in the media, but those who disagree, and who despair at the hypocrisy and moral bankruptcy evidenced here will simply take the debate elsewhere, maybe to the ballot box. Patrick Mercers comments demand a more serious appraisal than this. We are long overdue a return to sanity on this issue.
Ken Basin, Leeds, UK
If being called a "black bastard" is part-and-parcel of being in the Armed Forces I would advise blacks of all shades to leave the army for "white ........ " only. I am sure many of thsese "......." would do well and become a colonel.
Robert Smith, Nottingham, UK