A POLICING initiative on tackling racism was slammed as “disgraceful” today after it emerged it was facing allegations of racism by ethnic minority staff.

The Police Race Action Plan was launched in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and the rising outrage against institutional racism in police forces.

It was said to aim to help police build better relationships with black communities in Britain, but a BBC Newsnight investigation has revealed that former members of staff who were involved in the plan had their perspectives ignored.

One person, who asked to remain anonymous, said they believed people like them were seen as “troublemakers or difficult” for providing contributions.

They said: “It was openly questioned if black people were even needed to work on the plan.

“I increasingly felt my voice and — at times — my lived and professional experience were being ignored.”

The staff member added that they were treated differently from their white colleagues, giving the example of not being offered more support when the workload increased.

In documents seen by the BBC, complaints from people from ethnic minorities involved in the programme question the credibility of the plan and its true intentions.

National Black Police Association president Andy George said members of his organisation had outlined areas where they had been marginalised and side-lined within the plan.

“At times, they’ve almost been gas-lit as well around some of the issues,” he said, adding that black people are sometimes made to feel that they are the problem and that they are loud and challenging.

Black Activists Rising Against Cuts co-founder and national chairwoman Zita Holbourne told the Morning Star: “If they refuse to listen to the voices of those with lived experience then they cannot fully understand the impacts or address them.

“It’s disgraceful that they are ignoring the voices of black and brown officers and makes a mockery of any attempts to address racism in policing.”

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, who is the lead on the plan, said he was not aware of any official complaints or allegations relating to racism.

Mr Stephens, who is also chairman for the National Police Chiefs Council, which developed the plan along with the College of Policing, said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the experiences, calling it a “stark reminder of why we must drive change” in policing.