British Tory councillor, 72, ordered to undertake diversity training for claiming golliwogs are 'nostalgic not racist'

She's pretty right but that's no defence, of course



A Conservative councillor is to undergo diversity training after offending ethnic minorities with her claim that golliwogs are 'nostalgic, not racist'.

Cllr Dawn Barnett was found guilty of bringing Brighton and Hove City Council into disrepute with her remarks.

In August, Cllr Barnett said she thought golliwogs were 'nostalgic, not racist'.

And she dismissed complaints against a city homestore selling golliwog placemats as 'political correctness gone too far'.

However, a panel of three fellow councillors cleared the 72-year-old of failing to treat others with respect and breaching the Equalities Act.

The board - sitting in a closed hearing on Thursday - also recommended that all councillors should undergo diversity training in the future.

Her comments provoked four 'separate but similar' complaints from three people and the council's Black and Minority Ethnic Workers' Forum.

Yesterday's hearing - lasting more than five-and-a-half hours - was also attended by a number of senior council staff.  They included a monitoring officer, head of complaints, and head of democratic services.

Cllr Barnett, of the Hangleton and Knoll ward, said: 'They threw out the two most serious charges but said I was guilty of breaching the code of conduct.

'I am pleased they have let me off on the other two serious charges but very disappointed they have judged I broke the code of conduct.

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