Race watchdog steps into Ken nazi row

9:24am Friday 18th February 2005

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The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has stepped into the row surrounding Ken Livingstone's Nazi jibe to a Jewish journalist.

The CRE has referred the Mayor's comments to the Standards Board for England the local government watchdog.

The group is seeking to find out whether Mr Livingstone's remarks compromised the London Assembly's ability to carry out race relations work.

The Mayor told a Jewish reporter he was "just like a concentration camp guard" after he was approached outside a party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Chris Smith's decision to "come out" as Britain's first gay MP.

The Board of Jewish Deputies has also asked the Standards Board for England to investigate the matter.

London Assembly members, Prime Minister Tony Blair and other senior Labour party figures have called on Mr Livingstone to apoplogise.

The Mayor, however, has so far refused - despite concerns that the row could harm London's bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012.

At a press conference he admitted his comments may have been hurtful, but strongly denied they were racist or anti-Semitic.

Brian Coleman chairman of the London Assembly, said: "On Monday, the London Assembly provided the Mayor with an opportunity to bring this matter to an end by apologising. He declined. Now the Commission for Racial Equality is involved, and I am duty bound to bring this matter to the attention of my fellow Assembly Members."

A spokesman for the Greater London Authority said: "The only logical conclusion that can be drawn from the CRE's decision not to investigate the mayor's remarks itself, is that the CRE has concluded that they are not racist or anti-semitic.

"Clearly the CRE would have to investigate anything it regarded as potentially racist."

The spokesman added: "As to whether the other matters referred to in the CRE's letter to the GLA are something that fall within the Standards Board's remit, this is doubtful given that their statutory role is different."