THE recent extended local press coverage, news leader and letters, concerning the selection of Councillor Mohammed Khan for the vacancy of racial harassment officer at the Blackburn Racial Equality Council, have repeatedly failed to give a fair and balanced analysis and account of the detailed background of what took place.

In applying for and eventually accepting the offered position, Coun Khan at no time was standing outside the rules and constitution of the Racial Equality Council. It would also be considered abnormal, not normal, practice in any organisation to resign before applying for a vacancy in one's town organisation, voluntary or otherwise.

What also has not been disclosed is that his office as chairman was due to expire, within the three year rule, some three weeks from the date of the interview and job offer.

The composition of the selection panel can now be seen from the outside as not safe and secure to carry out its responsibilities unchallenged. Scientific hindsight is, of course, a handy tool to draw on in retrospect.

This is particularly so when one considers the normal employer selection membership in local authorities, including Blackburn with Darwen Council. Over the years and today, councillors of all colours have had facing them applicants with a local political party membership and activity background.

How could it be otherwise? The alternative would preclude members of a political party applying, or all appointments made by council officers or external independent panels.

It is also the case that it is now not possible to hold a full-time position in an area clearly linked and funded by local government and retain a position as an elected member. This is very much a recent development. In fact, for many years the position of director of the old Racial Relations Council was filled, admirably, by an elected local councillor and was so in other parts of the country. Indeed, seemingly, this practice is still in operation at the moment.

However, Coun Khan was facing up to the inevitable and unavoidable choice of accepting the offered position and ceasing to be an elected member for Wensley Fold Ward, when he was suddenly surrounded and submerged by willing accusers and accusations.

Coun Khan, with certain panel members, recognised that a challenge to the panel composition required, at the minimum, a repeat of the selection process. In my view, having attended meetings inquiring into this affair, Coun Khan took early and honourable action by withdrawing his acceptance of the vacancy. That should have been the end of the matter.

The dilemma for him and, to a different degree for panel members, is that in publicly defending themselves, they inevitably cast blame elsewhere. To their credit none chose to do so.

The inquiry that has been set up to look at the circumstances, will fulfil an important and vital purpose by reporting on all and every circumstance of fact and individual roles in this case. By doing so, it will bring a much-overdue objective and accurate account of what actually took place.

COUNCILLOR DON RISHTON, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.