Black groups say radicals 'are ignored' for race job

A bitter row is brewing over the appointment of the next head of the Commission for Racial Equality following accusations that radical black candidates have been sidelined from the powerful role.

Senior figures in the black community are shocked that high-profile figures who have criticised the Government have not been interviewed.

They fear that David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, will appoint a new Labour loyalist or uncontroversial figure to the £110,000-a-year post who will not criticise policies such as "stop and search" of suspected criminals, the introduction of identity cards and the detention of asylum-seekers.

Black leaders are privately furious that candidates such as Peter Herbert, a barrister who advises the Attorney General on race issues and the Society of Black Lawyers, have not been shortlisted for the job.

Last night Simon Woolley, head of Operation Black Vote who has spearheaded moves to get ethnic minorities involved in politics and recently hosted a meeting with the radical black American preacher and civil rights activist, the Rev Al Sharpton, said the appointment could have a crucial affect on labour's relations with the black community.

"The future of race relations is in the balance. Anyone who takes the helm of the Commission for Racial Equality must fight tooth and nail to help it maintain an independent voice," Mr Woolley said. "My fear is if we get it wrong we will take the debate back 10 years. We need a strong leader who will be free from the shackles of interfering Government."

The front runner is said to be Trevor Phillips, a television executive, who is regarded by some critics as a New Labour "crony." Mr Phillips, who ran to be Labour candidate for London mayor, is not noted as a critic of government policy on racial issues but some feel he will help raise the profile of the organisation and will prove a "constructive" voice on race relations.

The shortlist is believed to include Keith Kerr, an urbane Liberal Democrat businessman, and Beverley Bernard, the current acting chair of the organisation who would be seen as "a safe pair of hands".

The Home Office confirmed last night that Mr Blunkett is responsible for making the final decision on who will take this role this month.

The role became vacant after Gurbux Singh resigned last summer after a drunken row with a police officer outside Lord's cricket ground in London. Before his fall from grace, Mr Singh, a former chief executive of Haringey borough council in London, had also been criticised for being a New Labour "patsy" and had a far lower profile than his more outspoken predecessor Sir Herman Ouseley.

Mr Singh received a pay-off of £115,000 after stepping down from the post following what he described as "two or three minutes of aberration".

It has been suggested in a briefing document that the new head of the CRE will have to sign a "loyalty pledge" to ensure its policies are "compatible with those of the Secretary of State".

The CRE is publicly funded and was set up under the 1976 Race Relations Act to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality.

But the new chair will be expected to preside over the amalgamation of the body with its sister commissions on disabilities and equal opportunities into one "super commission" on minority rights.