The Commission for Racial Equality has postponed the public
hearing of its formal investigation into allegations of racial discrimination
in the prison service.
Originally scheduled for 14 May 2001, the hearing has been
adjourned for legal reasons.
Lawyers for the family of Zahid Mubarek, who was murdered by
a racist inmate at Feltham Young Offenders’ Institute, wrote to the CRE asking
for the hearing to be adjourned.
The investigation team chaired by Judge Ray Singh will hear
evidence from the Mubarek family’s lawyers at a later date.
Singh said, “The commissioners nominated to conduct the
formal investigation have taken the decision to postpone the hearing.
"This is to ensure that those most closely concerned
with the problems being examined by this investigation fully appreciate the way
the commission is proceeding.”
By Richard Staines
