In the days leading up to Notting Hill Carnival, comments by the Tory London Mayor candidate Susan Hall re-emerged.  

She had called it ‘dangerous’ and said previously that there is a ‘problem with crime’ in the Black community. 

For a celebration that is now said to be the second-largest annual event of its kind in the world, it is many things – fun, exciting, bonding, tiring, anything but dangerous is nowhere near top of the list.  

Susan Hall has previously said that there is a ‘problem’ with crime in the Black community (Picture: Getty Images)© Provided by Metro

The number of arrests at this year’s event was considered ‘broadly consistent’ with police expectations, given that nearly 2million people were estimated to flock to the event.   

I must be clear that no level of crime is acceptable – and much will go unreported – but to have some arrests from a minority of people is expected for an event of this size.  

Even Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said this year’s crimes were due to a ‘small number of very dangerous people’ and that most people had a ‘fantastic’ time.  

So, if it is statistically a safe event, I can’t help but wonder why is it that Notting Hill Carnival is given such a bad reputation by some and often unfairly criticised by people in positions of power, like Susan Hall? 

Carnival was born out of struggle, protest and a way for the West Indian community to bond together. 

I’m proud of this amazing and positive celebration, with people of all ages and backgrounds coming together with incredible food, music and great vibes. 

Why is it that big events like Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Creamfields, and large sporting events that often result in arrests and worse – sexual assault, violence and death – and their attendees aren’t painted as inherently criminal?  I am horrified that the Tory Party would continue to back a candidate who can make such disparaging comments and not apologise

It is important that we ask our elected representatives (and Twitter trolls) why there is such a difference in reporting and attitude.

I would hazard a guess this could be because the audience is less diverse. The association with crime and blackness needs to stop! 

Our vibrant, inclusive, decades-old celebration, whose traditions are rooted in the struggle for civil rights, does not deserve to be tarnished by ridiculous and unfair claims. 

And Susan’s Hall’s insistence that Carnival should be moved to a park so it’s easier to police detracts from what the event is all about.  

That is why I led a group of Labour MPs in writing to the Conservative Party Chair, Greg Hands, last week to ask that Hall apologises and withdraws her comments. 

 

The celebration is now the second biggest of it’s kind in the world (Picture: Getty Images)© Provided by Metro

But, while I shouldn’t be surprised, she has since doubled down and described our complaints as ‘desperate smears’, accusing us of ‘gutter politics’.  

If she cannot see why her comments are wrong, it proves once again she is not fit to be mayor of our great city.  

And frankly, I am horrified that the Tory Party would continue to back a candidate who can make such disparaging comments and not apologise.   

Especially when our current mayor, Sadiq Khan, does celebrate all of the capital’s residents. The latest being Black on the Square, an event this coming weekend showcasing Black culture and creativity is being facilitated by Khan.  

I have no doubt it will be a fantastic day, but unfortunately I’m already seeing reactions online echoing Hall’s opinions about Carnival. That it will be ‘dangerous’.  

The truth is, far beyond these particular comments, there is an inherent focus in society on Black-led events and the supposed criminality associated with ‘blackness’. The constant search for criminality is dangerous and discriminatory.

As we have seen in so many contexts, this can be extremely problematic. We see it in policing, where people are unfairly discriminated against because of the colour of their skin. 

Society takes what it wants from Black culture, whether it be music, food or style – but often society doesn’t want Black people along with it. 

We have to stop prejudices spreading. We have to stop the spread of this misinformation in its tracks. That is why I penned a letter to her party. That is why I ask her to apologise.  

These attitudes are depressing, damaging, and Black people deserve better. From everyone, not least a mayoral candidate.  

For those who will inevitably accuse me of race-baiting for daring to speak up about racism and discrimination, as they always do, it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee.  

Racism is bad for everyone. By Dawn Butler, Metro

The Army court has withdrawn all criminal charges against the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen Kale Kayihura.

The charges including failure to protect war materials, failure to supervise police officers, and abetting kidnap were withdrawn on Wednesday before a seven-member panel led by Brig Gen Freeman Robert Mugabe.

On August 24, 2018, Kayihura appeared before the seven-member panel of the UPDF General Court Martial presided over by then chairman, Lt Gen Andrew Gutti to plead to the charges. He had earlier been arrested from his upcountry home in Kashagama in Lyantonde district before being airlifted to Kampala.

The prosecution said that between 2010 and 2018, on various occasions, Kayihura issued firearms to unauthorized persons specifically members of Boda-boda 2010 under the leadership of Abdullah Kitatta, who was convicted of the same crimes and has since served his sentence.

The group was accused of disrupting opposition rallies in several parts of the country. The prosecution further alleged that by commission and omission, Kayihura aided and abetted the actions of subordinate police officers to kidnap and illegally repatriate Rwandan exiles, refugees, and Ugandan citizens to Rwanda.

Kayihura was also accused of failure to supervise and ensure accountability for firearms and ammunition issued to specialized units in the police such as the Flying Squad Unit, Crime Intelligence and Special Operations Unit, and Witness Protection Unit. 

When the case came up on Wednesday, the prosecution led by Lt Col Raphael Mugisha and Pte Regina Nanzala said they had instructions to withdraw charges against Kayihura. He said that the withdrawal document was signed by the director of prosecutions in the army and asked that the charges against Kayihura be withdrawn.

Brig Freeman was left with no choice but to read the withdrawal document tendered before him and consequently to discharge Kayihura saying he is now a free man. Kayihura who appeared in the dock in a black suit without his lawyers thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, his friends, and well-wishers for standing with him throughout all this time.

Kayihura has gone back chanting slogans of freedom at last saying that he had never lost confidence. He was retired from the army about two months ago. In 2021 during the presidential campaigns in Kisoro district, NRM led by Kisoro district LCV chairperson, Abel Bizimana asked Museveni to pardon Kayihura.

In his response, Museveni said Kayihura was a National Resistance Movement cadre and promised to talk to UPDF prosecutors and have him forgiven.

Michael Niyonsaba, Kisoro district NRM youth coordinator said that Kayihura started many projects in Kisoro that employed several youths and had since stalled since his movements were restricted to Kampala and Wakiso districts as part of his bail condition set by the court-martial.

Although the case against Kayihura had stalled immediately when he was charged and given bail, he has been reporting to court registrar Col John Bizimana on a monthly basis as ordered by Gen Gutti.  By URN, The Observer

Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir is on Friday, September 1, expected to appear before the National Assembly Committee on Energy to shed more light on the nationwide power outage last week. 

Chirchir will be accompanied by Principal Secretary of State Department for Energy, Alex Mwachira, the Kenya Power Chief Executive Officer Joseph Siror, and his KETRACO and KENGEN counterparts.

The bosses are expected to give a detailed explanation of what could have caused the outage that left thousands of passengers stranded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), whilst affecting businesses and operations across the country.

Last week,  the committee chaired by Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka expressed its disappointment over the incident promising to address the issue, including tabling a report on the high cost of electricity in Kenya.

After the outage, Kenya Power attributed the failure to a system disturbance. 

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen later announced the dismissal of Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Managing Director Alex Gitari and General Manager Project and Engineering Services, Fred Odawo, following the blackout that affected operations at the ever-busy JKIA.  By Mate Tongola, The Standard

Helium One Global Ltd (AIM:HE1, OTCQB:HLOGF) said it is on track to start drilling at the Rukwa well in Tanzania from September.

An experienced crew has now been appointed, the company said in a statement, with its recently acquired rig almost fully set up at the site.

Delivery of the final long-lead items is due for the second week of September, placing Helium One on track to begin work during the latter half of the month.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for the company as we approach the spud of Tai-C,” chief executive Lorna Blaisse said.

The AIM-listed company, which holds prospecting licences for almost 3,000 square kilometres over three areas in Tanzania, in July acquired a rig capable of drilling 2,400 metres for its flagship Rukwa project, where testing in 2021 identified a working helium system.

“The team has worked very hard to get us to this point and we look forward to the last few items required to fall into place,” Blaisse added, with the company planning to ultimately undertake 24-hour operations at the site. By Josh Lamb, Proactive