LONDON, February 24, 2006  –  A group of gay and lesbian organisations, including the Lesbian and Gay Coalition Against Racism, have condemned the suspension of London Mayor, Ken Livingstone for an “off the cuff” remark to a journalist from the London Evening Standard.

Mr. Livingstone was suspended for one month by the Adjudication Panel for England following a formal complaint made by the Jewish Board of Deputies.  [see BBC News report for details]

“We condemn the decision to suspend Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London from office,” the statement reads

.”We believe it is a fundamental undermining of democracy that an elected representative, who has the mandate of millions of Londoners, can be removed from office by an unelected, appointed board.

“Furthermore, Ken Livingstone has an outstanding record on lesbian and gay rights – he [has been] a staunch supporter of the lesbian and gay community during his entire political life – including at a time when lesbian and gay rights were not widely respected or accepted.

“His record speaks for itself.  He has taken a multitude of initiatives defending and advancing our communities – for example he introduced the first partnership register, paving the way for national civil partnerships legislation.

“He has ensured that London celebrates our contribution as an intrinsic part of what makes it successful.

“Finally we recognise Ken Livingstone’s longstanding and active opposition to racism and fascism,” the statement concluded.

Backing the statement are Lesbian and Gay Coalition Against Racism, Imaan (a support group for LGBT Muslims), Linda Bellos (a seasoned LGBT rights campaigner) and Kirsten Hearne of Regard.

In a separate statement The National Assembly Against Racism (NAAR) also reacted angrily to the Mayor’s suspension.

“I disagree with this suspension,” commented Claude Moraes, Labour Member (Socialist Group) of the European Parliament for London and NAAR’s European Parliamentary liaison office.

“Ken Livingstone in my opinion has one of the strongest track records on anti-racism and anti-Semitism, and it is a proven track record, that is easily the strongest of any municipal leader in Europe,” he said.

And Milena Buyum, vice chair of NAAR said:  “We are outraged at the outcome of the Adjudication Panel for England hearing, which suspended the Mayor from his office for a month.

“The Mayor of London has a thirty-year record of consistently pursuing an agenda for equality and against racism that very few other politicians can make a claim to.  Only last July, it was his immediate response to the horror of the London bombings that brought Londoners together and ensured that our multicultural city responded to the tragedy in the best possible way in these circumstances.

“The Mayor of London should be judged on his consistent record on anti-racism, lesbian and gay rights and women's rights and his opposition to injustice.

“Three unelected appointees should not be able to overturn the will of the seven million strong London’s electorate.  Hundreds of thousands of black Londoners who voted for the Mayor on his record of fighting racism are being undermined by this undemocratic and arbitrary decision.”