Officials of the UK’s Government Legal Department have attended a ‘Queer Leadership’ conference on taxpayers’ money, leaving attorney general Suella Braverman “supremely disappointed”.
“A small number” of civil servants are believed to have taken part in the diversity training in May, despite the top government lawyer’s order to cut on wokeness.
Costing £500 per head, the course claimed it would give the “tools and knowledge for building a more inclusive, healthier and sustainable Queer Future”.
“I am supremely disappointed (that) the GLD continues to indulge in divisive diversity training at taxpayer’s expense,” Braverman told the Sun.
Braverman, who has launched a fightback against the diversity industry, indicated that she would crack down on the participation of her department’s officials in wokeness events at government expenses.
"Going forward, every item of expenditure that falls into this category must pass across my desk,” the attorney general said.
Braverman, who was eliminated from the early stages of the ongoing Conservative leadership contest is expected to become the next home secretary in case Liz Truss wins the race against the other finalist Rishi Sunak.
The attorney general had said earlier that she had scrapped diversity training which “does nothing to create solidarity and support but rather keeps emphasising difference”.
She had called the diversity industry a “new religion” where zealots sought to “punish unbelievers while others are too scared to speak out”.
According to her, the diversity agenda “thrives on darkness”, where experts on “white privilege” subscribed to the “left-wing view on race, gender and sexuality.
She also decided to scrap equality training in her department after learning that the staff had spent nearly 2,000 hours on diversity training last year where they were given lectures on “micro-incivilities” and "how to be a straight ally".
Braverman said she would encourage other ministers of the government to reconsider their departments’ diversity programmes and scrutinise the value for money they offer.
Braverman ‘supremely disappointed’ as legal department officials attend ‘Queer Leadership’ event on taxpayers’ money
Going forward, every item of expenditure that falls into this category must pass across my desk: Attorney general said.
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)