Kent County Council has refused to place on record its "unequivocal support" for black and ethnic minority groups following the death of George Floyd in the United States.

The council dismissed a motion put forward by the Liberal Democrats aimed at "institutional" racism directed against black people in Kent, described as a "grotesque" evil.

More than 4,000 racial hate crimes were recorded in Kent in 2018/19, an average of 12 per day, while the death of Mr Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed African American, sparked huge protests across the world against police brutality and racism.

The motion was tabled by the Lib Dem group at Maidstone's County Hall.

It called on the council to be "conscious" of the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black and minority ethnic (BAME) residents and pledge its support against "ingrained institutional racism".

Covid-19 deaths among black males were 3.9 times higher than expected between March 20 and May 7, according to data from Public Health England.

However, KCC's Conservative administration rejected the motion and removed any specific references to BAME people.

"I have no doubt there is racism in this country and this county..."

An amended motion was then put forward which said that the council was "mindful of emerging evidence which shows a disproportionate impact of Covid on sections of the community."

In addition, the Conservatives said they will "reaffirm" their commitments to promoting equality for all and combat unfair treatment for all forms of racial injustice, including the Irish, Polish and Jewish communities.

Tunbridge Wells county councillor Sean Holden (Con), who proposed the amendment, said the original motion contained "untruths" as he denied that Kent was institutionally racist against black communities.

The Cranbrook councillor said: "The original motion in itself is discriminatory and seeks to address ingrained institutional racism directed against non-white persons which leaves out racism against white people."

He added: "I have no doubt there is racism in this country and this county as there is other crime but those failings do not characterise our nation as is suggested.

"For more than half a century since the 1965 Race Relations Act this country has continually officially sought to end the cruelties of racism, socially and institutionally.

"Public bodies by law must promote racial equality. Every paper from this council carries an equality statement."

Thousands have taken to the street across Kent's 13 districts to protest the death of Mr Floyd in recent weeks while South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay has been involved a racism row with his constituents after "failing to acknowledge" major marches in his district.

Outraged councillors from KCC's Liberal Democrats, Labour and Green Party and one Conservative councillor objected to Cllr Holden's suggestions.

Margate county councillor Barry Lewis (Lab), who is a Jewish man and whose married partner is black, said: "I can tell you from personal experience my problems are nothing compared with black people.

"They are discriminated far more than any other minority group. It's a matter of fact. If a black person is driving a car they are likely to be stopped if they are driving a Mercedes because they are stereotyped. A Jew won't have that problem."

A tearful Cllr Jeremy Kite (Con), who is the leader of Dartford Borough Council, said: "If people experience racism and feel its institutionalised, I feel we have an obligation to address it."

Despite this, a final vote was held among the 81 councillors with a sweeping majority of Conservatives and Labour voting in favour of the amendment.

Six Lib Dems, one Independent and one Green representative voted against it.

KCC's Green Party leader Martin Whybrow described the change as "puzzling" while KCC's main opposition leader Rob Bird (Lib Dem) said the decision was "totally unacceptable" and said the new motion "misses the point altogether".

He said: "I think it's a very sad day when KCC fails to acknowledge the injustice and hurt our BAME residents and our staff feel day in day out."

Faversham councillor Antony Hook (Lib Dem), who proposed the original motion, said: "The amendment deletes from the motion every reference to BAME people and just think it will look absurd to the people who suffer from racism in Kent."

However, Maidstone councillor Shellina Prendergast (Con), who seconded Cllr Holden's motion, said: "I could not support the original motion and have difficulties with the language used.

"It does nothing to eradicate racial inequality, but compounded it by setting people aside from the rest of humanity based on skin tone."

Concluding, KCC's Labour Group leader Cllr Dara Farrell (Lab) said: "I have always been incredibly proud to be a member but on this issue I am so incredibly disappointed."

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