Should Summerskill Resign from Stonewall Instead?
Ben Summerskill's non-resignation
So Ben Summerskill has told the Pink News that he has resigned as a commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Wrong! All Summerskill has done is to say he won’t be re-applying for his job once his contract ends at the end of the year, quite a different thing to the three other commissioners who have actively tended their resignation in the last week.
So what of it? Well, the influential leader of gay rights charity Stonewall slipped the knife into EHRC leader Trevor Phillips as he ‘tendered his resignation’, telling Pink News that it was time for Phillips to step down and “make room for someone who can deliver outcomes.” Ouch - harsh!
He went on to say:
“I’m sad because I do feel that a commission that encompasses all is hugely important. We at Stonewall will give it all the support it needs.”
Which we’re a litte confused about!
Does giving the EHRC all the support it needs include criticising its leader when he is extremely vulnerable, and saying he is resigning when in fact he is doing nothing of the sort? The Equality and Human Rights Commission told the Mothership Blog:
“It is regrettable that Ben Summerskill has chosen not to reapply for a position as Commissioner, given his experience and expertise. But we need to focus on what we’re delivering for the public. That is what they are interested in. The Commission, led by Trevor Phillips, continues to work on a number of substantial fronts including delivering a new Equality Bill which will make Britain a fairer and better place to live and making our Human Rights Inquiry recommendations lead to real change in public service delivery. We will also be completing our formal inquiries into gender pay and the finance sector and race and the construction industry and announcing a new grants programme, supporting grass-roots organisations who are making a real difference. These are the things that matter, showing a clear sense of direction with our three year strategy which was unanimously agreed by the board.”
Ben Summerskill talks about wanting a commission that encompasses all. This from a man who welcomes an Equality Bill which does not encompass all. The government’s Equality Bill is a big deal. It brings together comprehensive equality legislation for all minorities under one big protective roof.
But when consulted by the government in his position of leader of Stonewall earlier this year Ben Summerskill was quite happy to agree to specific exclusions for gay and lesbian people which removes our right to protection against harrassment under the Bill. He says don’t worry, we’re already protected by exisiting laws but oh, just one small thing, he can’t be 100% sure.
In short, he’s given the LGBT nod to an ‘Equality’ Bill which actually discriminates against gays and lesbians. Unbelievable!
Whose side is this man on? This is the chief executive of arguably the most important UK gay charity and he’s frittering away our rights before our very eyes.
Mothership says: Never mind about his ‘non-resignation’ from the EHRC, perhaps it’s another position he should consider resigning from.
by David Abrehart
Read more about the outrageous ‘Inequality Bill’ here
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