United Kingdom Public Servants have been supplied with a reading list “to help them confront their privilege and admit their place in a system of oppression”.
They have been advised to read the books that help them “gain a deeper understanding of racism and the anti-racist work that needs to be done”.
In addition, they have been urged not to use the phrase ‘black mark’ to indicate a misdemeanour.
More than 60 books and articles are said to be on the reading list which has reportedly been circulated by a staff group called the Civil Service Race Forum.
Titles include: White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard To Talk To White People About Racism, and Building A Police-Free Future: Frequently Asked Questions.
The reading list was revealed by a concerned whistle-blower at the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
A statement with the reading list reportedly says: “We are all (un)learning at our own pace, but when the consequences of our ignorance are bound up in the continued discrimination, violence, and murders of Black people, we must work harder.”
A spokesperson for the ONS confirmed the reading list had been shared with its staff but “did not reflect official guidance”.
“As an inclusive employer, we encourage the sharing of ideas and respectful open discussion but will take action should concerns be raised,” the spokesperson said.
In a separate development, the Government has backed down on plans to change the way MPs’ conduct is scrutinised after its proposals were attacked by Public Service unions and a former head of the Government Legal Department.
MPs voted narrowly to change the rules after Parliament’s Standards Committee found Conservative MP and former Minister, Owen Paterson (pictured) guilty of an “egregious case of paid advocacy” and recommended he be suspended from the House of Commons.
Deputy General Secretary of the Prospect union, Garry Graham said the proposals as passed by Parliament effectively enabled MPs to “mark their own homework”.
Leader of the House, Jacob Rees-Mogg said the Government would rethink its approach to the reforms approved by MPs less than 24 hours earlier.
Mr Paterson, a former Minister for Northern Ireland, and for the Environment, said he planned to stand down as an MP.
London, 7 November 2021
