Aylesbury Vale councillor criticised after claiming racial bias training a 'pointless waste of time'

Buckighamshire Council Councillor John Chilver announced on October 2 his intention to boycott an exercise for Buckinghamshire councillors in “unconscious racism”, proposed by Labour member, councillor Rafiq Raja.

However, the tweet, which read: “You can count me out of this pointless waste of time”, was taken down shortly after it was published.

Cllr Raja announced during a High Wycombe Community Board meeting, on Wednesday, September 23, plans for councillors to be educated in racial bias and Black history.

He said, “our fellow councillors in particular”, need to better understand, “why there is so much passion and frustration associated with the Black Lives Matter campaign”.

Cllr Raja, who is chairman of High Wycombe’s Community Cohesion Working Group, told members “two or three very good speakers” had been arranged for the talk, which coincides with Black History Month running throughout October.

Shortly after news of the exercise was posted online however, Cllr Chilver published a tweet explaining his intention to boycott the session, but later deleted his statement.

The Conservative member also appeared to criticise the Royal Mail for its unveiling throughout the UK of four black letterboxes to mark Black History Month and as a tribute to its staff.

In an October 2 tweet he wrote: “When did this nonsense of repainting letterboxes start? If the Post Office have money to waste, I would prefer them to reduce the price of a stamp.”

Speaking to the Bucks Herald, Cllr Chilver said he had no comment to make about any formal training, but added : “I’m not a member for Wycombe so I don’t know if it’s for all Buckinghamshire councillors.”

Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, Martin Tett, said: “We consider it a fundamental principle that all residents in Buckinghamshire are treated fairly and equally regardless of their gender, faith or ethnicity.

"Therefore, Buckinghamshire Council is committed to ensuring we meet our legal duty to promote equalities both in the services we provide, and for the staff we employ.”