THE chairman of Bury Racial Equality Council (BREC) has sensationally quit while stressing she cannot justify the race body's continuing existence. Mrs Val McGrory, who only took over the hot seat eleven months ago, yesterday confirmed rumours she had resigned.

Formal letters announcing the shock move have now been received by the 18-strong executive committee.

"It has been a most stressful period in my life and I have witnessed unacceptable practices in the recent affiliations," claimed Mrs McGrory, a former Conservative councillor.

She was referring to claims by officials of Bury's Khizra Mosque that bogus membership forms were submitted to the BREC.

Mrs McGrory, of Ainsworth Road, Bury, added: "Many long-serving organisations have turned their back on the BREC because they do not see what useful service can be offered to them any more and this is such a sad state of affairs.

"I do not wish to associate myself with an organisation which is developing into an 'exclusive' club for a minority of people at the expense of so many."

And she stressed: "The aims and objectives have become meaningless. We must justify to the taxpayer the existence of this organisation in its present state - sadly I cannot do this."

It is understood there was disquiet in some quarters that Mrs McGrory's election as chairman had been deemed unconstitutional because she had not been an executive committee member.

Although she offered to stand down, she stayed on as chairman with the backing of members and the Commission for Racial Equality which, along with Bury Council, funds the body.

Of her resignation, Mrs McGrory said she is disappointed and added: "I felt for the first time I could really make a big difference to BREC.

"It is not a case of deserting the sinking ship but leaving when my integrity was intact and wanting to keep it that way."

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