Muslim peer says police ‘picked on’ him for driving Bentley with private number plate
A Muslim peer claims he was ‘picked on’ by police because he was driving a Bentley coupe with a personalised number plate.
Conservative Lord Sheikh said he had been stopped for allegedly using a mobile phone at the wheel, which he denied.
The businessman added he was ‘appalled by the closing of ranks’ after a police sergeant told him he would believe his officer over him.
Peers in Westminster today discussed a 2017 review by shadow justice secretary David Lammy, which found the justice system in England and Wales is biased and discriminated in the treatment of people from from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities.
Lord Sheikh, founder of the Conservative Muslim Forum, criticised the treatment of black and ethnic minorities by the criminal justice system and hit out at the lack of diversity in the judiciary.
Referring to the rise in stop and search of BAME people, Lord Sheikh said: ‘I have myself been stopped by the police, who alleged I was using a phone, which was not so.
‘A sergeant then turned up and said to me if there is any difference of opinion between me and his officer, he would believe the officer.
‘I was appalled by the closing of ranks. I believe I was picked upon as I was driving a Bentley coupe with a personalised number.’
Ministry of Justice spokesperson Lord Keen of Elie said in response that efforts are being made to increase diversity across the justice system.
He referenced progress made in relation to the make-up of Parole Board, where there had been ‘grave under-representation of BAME members’.
Lord Sheikh also highlighted the over-representation of ethnic minorities in the nation’s prison population, including Muslims, and argued that they face much longer sentences than their white counterparts.
He added: ‘There is an appalling lack of diversity in our judiciary, starting from Magistrates’ Court up to the Supreme Court.’
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