The Mayor of Hackney Writes

I have now received a reply from Hackney Council following my complaint about the Nicky Cruz fiasco in the borough. Indeed, no less than the Mayor himself has replied on the subject:

Dear Mr Stott

Thank you very much for your e-mail concerning Nicky Cruz and TRUCE.

It is extremely important that the Council meets the needs and beliefs of all Hackney’s communities are respected. Hackney is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country – not only in terms of ethnicity, but also faith, disability, age, sexuality and gender. We are committed to promoting equality and community cohesion across the borough.

In terms of the TRUCE events at the Ocean last month, I too was concerned about the involvement of Nicky Cruz after reading the homophobic comments that had been posted on his website. Homophobia is abhorrent and inexcusable, and the Council would never knowingly give support to a homophobic organisation. The TRUCE events were commissioned by the Metropolitan Police, and as soon as the issue came to light I asked the police to carry out an urgent investigation, and seek assurances from both TRUCE and Nicky Cruz. Responsibility for allowing the event to go ahead lay with Chief Supt Simon Pountain, the Borough Commander.

Chief Supt Simon Pountain liaised with representatives of the Church and the lesbian and gay community, before making a decision on this matter. Following the apology from TRUCE that was published in the Gazette, he received assurances from Nicky Cruz that he is committed to the equalities policies and values of both the Metropolitan Police and Hackney Council. For this reason, Chief Supt Pountain decided not to oppose the events taking place. He issued the following statement on this matter:

“After careful deliberation, during which time I have worked closely with representatives of both the Church and the Lesbian and Gay community in Hackney, I have decided not to oppose the events at Ocean this week, where youths from the local community will be showcasing their experiences of the TRUCE initiative to parents and visitors.

“I delayed making this decision until I was sure that Nicky Cruz had been spoken to, in person, about the values of the Metropolitan Police and Hackney Council, and that the assurances we sought had been given unequivocally.

“Subsequently, I am reassured that the sole purpose of this event is one for our young people, as TRUCE have demonstrated their understanding and shared their expertise in the growing issue of youth gang culture.

“We are committed to working with all out communities to make Hackney a safer place, and the overriding principle in this case is the benefit that has been given to our young people. I will work with all involved and endeavour to ensure that the event goes ahead peacefully, in the hope that it is used to showcase the encouraging efforts from the young people of Hackney.”

I appreciate that you would have preferred the event not to have gone ahead, but I hope that this does give you some reassurance that complaints were treated seriously before the events went ahead, and guarantees were sought that Nicky Cruz and TRUCE would sign up to the equalities policy and not make any homophobic remarks.

Cllr Sally Mulready, out Cabinet Adviser for Equalities, and Council officers attended the event at the Ocean to monitor the situation. The have confirmed that Nicky Cruz did not at any point refer to gay people or make any remarks about the lives of gay people. I have asked the police for a full evaluation of the events, so that a proper assessment can be made as to their impact and the outcomes in terms of engaging youth and reduced gang activity.

Yours sincerely

Jules Pipe
Mayor of Hackney

Comments

[iLikeAkehurstFanClub]

You state that Pipe wrote: "Cllr Sally Mulready, out Cabinet Adviser for Equalities, and Council officers attended the event at the Ocean to monitor the situation."

"OUT" Cabinet Adviser! Oh my Gawd! In her electioneering literature, Mulready boasted of her attendence at a Roman Catholic church (can't see why tho'). I thought that by appointing Mulready, Pipe was mirroring Blair (who appointed rampant homophobe and Opus Dei adherent Ruth Kelly to the equality slot).

Glad to hear Pipe sent someone with such clear qualifications and experience on the oppression of sexual minorities. Or did he?

[Paul Stott]

Having checked the original e mail from Pipe, he does indeed say "out"!

I assume he means our.........

[iLikeAkehurstFanClub]

Yippee! If Pipe has "outed" Sister Mulready, that's fine by me (there are too many closet cases in the Council already). Let's work on the natural assumption that she is, as stated by Pipe, the Out Cabinet Adviser.

If she isn't out, or she thinks being out is something to be ashamed of, the Council will have to issue a denial. Let's see how they would squirm their way out of that one!

(Quite takes me back to the 1970s with my old "How dare you assume I'm heterosexual!" badges).