13. Debate: Tackling Racism and Race Inequality

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 7:55 pm on 6 October 2020.

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Photo of Neil McEvoy Neil McEvoy Independent 7:55, 6 October 2020

Thank you. I would conclude by saying that we have real problems in this Senedd. I'm not accepted. If I worked in security, if I worked in cleansing, or maybe catering, I would be accepted, but as it stands now, a brown man with a voice and opinion is not welcome by too many people in this building. And I ask people to consider this: is there any other Parliament in the world where a politician would have been described as a species of animal by an official and then be forced to deal and interact with that official?

And I'll finish on this: is there any other place in the world where a person of colour would have to go accused of something before a committee and not be allowed any witnesses and have CCTV proving that statements were false and yet that CCTV not allowed to be presented to prove innocence and gross exaggeration? This is the Senedd that we are talking about. This is the racism that I deal with in this building. I think I'll conclude my remarks there. I tell you what, I speak for many people out there—many, many people. Diolch yn fawr.