Labour Party Black Sections letter to all Black MPs

About this item

This document is a letter from the Labour Party Black Sections National Committee, dated July 1989, addressed to Black Members of Parliament including Bernie Grant. It raises concerns about the arrest and trial of Frank Critchlow, a prominent Black community leader and proprietor of the Mangrove restaurant and association, which were alleged to be affected by police misconduct. The letter calls for parliamentary action demanding a public inquiry, the resignation of a senior police officer, and compensation for Critchlow.

Key points:
– Frank Critchlow was arrested in May 1988 on drug-related charges which he denied, claiming the drugs were planted by police.
– A total of 66 police officers testified against Critchlow during the trial, which ended in a not guilty verdict on all charges.
– Bail conditions included a 500-yard exclusion zone around Critchlow’s restaurant, causing significant business damage.
– The Black Sections Committee accused the Notting Hill police, especially Chief Superintendent Pearman, of hostility and damaged credibility.
– The committee called for a parliamentary motion demanding a full public inquiry, Pearman’s resignation, and fair compensation for Critchlow.

This letter reflects Black British political activism during the late 1980s, addressing systemic racism and police misconduct affecting Black communities. Bernie Grant, a leading Black MP and campaigner, was engaged in efforts to hold institutions accountable and promote justice. The Mangrove case became a significant issue in anti-racist and community organizing within local government and Black British politics.

Source note: The OCR transcript contains some typographical errors and formatting inconsistencies, such as missing punctuation and unclear character substitutions, but the overall content and key messages remain intact for accurate interpretation.