Dismayed by narrow minded attitude to COVID-19 inquiry

As a youth warden in Cardiff’s multi-ethnic dockland in the sixties, an educator detained by Idi Amin in Uganda in the seventies, and a broadcaster in the Far East during the eighties, and currently an elected local politician in East Sussex since 1997, I have been fortunate to work alongside people from many differing backgrounds and nationalities.

I am appalled by the narrow-minded attitude expressed by some groups towards Trevor Phillips on his intelligent selection to serve on a Public Health England Review Board examining the disproportionate number of people from ethnic minorities who have died COVID-19.

Having watched Mr Phillips’s valuable influence, over many years, towards greater understanding between different ethnic groups he has the perfect profile to make a positive contribution to this Board.

It is also sensible to include some non-medical people who can challenge the medical professionals to enable conclusions to be clear to the rest of us lay people.

To be valuable this review must be totally independent of groups who may hold prejudicial views; Trevor Phillips has proven on many occasions that he is a truly impartial spirit.