HARRIET HARMAN is set to embrace yet another minority group who claim to be victims of discrimination – naturists.

The Government Equalities Office, which is overseen by Labour’s deputy leader, is promoting claims that devotees of skinny dipping and nudist campsites suffer prejudice equivalent to that experienced by gays, ethnic minorities and the elderly.

A submission written by British Naturism has been included in a review into discrimination. “Naturists encounter prejudice in employment,” it reads.

“This is a particular problem for people in the caring professions and education. Any occupation requiring an enhanced Criminal Record Bureau check is potentially a serious problem.”

Naturism has spawned a thriving leisure industry referred to as “the buff pound”. As well as more than 100 naturist-friendly campsites across the UK, there are an array of luxury cruises where clothing is optional. In November Alton Towers, the Midlands theme park, will host its fourth “naturists only” weekend.

British Naturism has 16,000 members but claims there could be 1.2m naturists in the country, with many choosing to cover up their hobby.

It is urging the government and other authorities to make “affirmative statements” in favour of naturism and combat the financial penalties endured by those who pursue clothes-free leisure pursuits. Entry to naturist nights at council swimming pools is often twice as expensive as admission on other nights.

British Naturism’s submission was one of those selected for display on the website of the equalities office alongside work by Stonewall, the gay rights group, Age Concern and the Runnymede Trust, which campaigns for racial equality.

The website says all the submissions are “very helpful evidence” and will “form an essential part” of a National Equality Panel report, to be published in November.

Andrew Welch, commercial manager of British Naturism, said the type of discrimination suffered by naturists today was similar to that endured by gay people before the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967.

“Police do not always understand that nudity is not an offence,” he said.

“The presumption of many in society that a person without clothes is always up to no good is archaic and discriminatory.”

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