Tory M.P. accused of ignorance

Press, 2 September 1986, Page 10

Tory M.P. accused of ignorance

NZPA-PA London A Tory member of Parliament’s claim that most West Indians were “bone idle, lazy, good-for-nothings” has brought demands that the Government and his party should dissociate themselves from his views. The outburst by the Conservative member for Hayes and Harlington, Mr Terry Dicks, resulted in a scathing attack by the chairman of the All-Party Commons Select Committee on Race Relations, Mr John Wheeler, who accused his party colleague of ignorance and bigotry. Mr Dicks was defending a newspaper columnist, Sir Woodrow Wyatt, who was censured by the Press Council at the week-end for claiming that a large proportion of black immigrants were “lawless, drug-taking, violent and unemployable.” Sir Woodrow said in his “News of the World” column that Asians were generally well behaved but many of the people of ; African descent were not. Mr Dicks said yester- ' day: “Sir Woodrow should I be defended and not attacked because he has got it right.”

He added: “Most of the West Indians here are lazy, good-for-nothings who come across here to sponge and to bring their way of life in the Caribbean to this country. “By contrast, most of the Asians I know are damned hard-working people. They work day and night and I have a great deal of respect for them, as do most other people. “But West Indians, in general, are bone idle. Brixton is a good example and Notting Hill an even better example of that.

“It is about time the West Indians were given a kick in the pants — and the Press Council as well.” The Labour member of Parliament for Walsall South, Mr Bruce George, denounced Mr Dicks’ remarks as “shameful.”

Mr George said: “What he says is monstrously untrue. He ought to be deeply ashamed for mouthing such appalling nonsense.

“I hope the Government and his Tory M.P. colleagues will publicly dissociate themselves from his view and point the finger of accusation at him.”