Forum Topic

AMJA has been made Vice Chair of the Hounslow Community Police Consultative Group

Readers may remember Andy Atkinson (AMJA) who was a regular poster on this and other Neighbour Net forums until about a year ago. He left after receiving a request from the moderators of EalingW5 to tone down his abuse.Best known as the original Mr Angry, AMJA was always ranting against members of the minority ethnic communities and in one post even managed to lump asylum seekers in the same category as murderers, rapists and child molestors.Well, incredible as it may seem, this week's Hounslow Chronicle features an article in which it states that AMJA is Vice Chair of the borough's official community/police liaison group. The article itself relates to the issue of the five-fold over-representation of black people in the police's stop and search statistics. Needless to say, in the quote which is ascribed to him, AMJA seems to find no problem with this imbalance.How on earth does someone like this manage to get into such a sensitive position? Is it in some way a manifestation of the growing tentacles of influence of the Tories and their ICG allies throughout the borough? Whatever the explanation, it is a disgrace. Some time ago on the Ealing forum, he was moaning about the fact that police officers were no longer allowed to be members of the BNP.Among other forum outbursts, he has complained about the number of Asian women operating the post office counters in WH Smiths in Hounslow High Street; accused Sara Nathan of having a "little PC mind" because she dared to enquire as to whether any forum regulars were on the leaked list of BNP members (a reasonable question given that she herself had been featured in a BNP publication entitled "The Jews who run our Media"); and tried to justify the use of the term "Paki".In letters published in the local Times newspapers, he has attacked the Anti Nazi League eight times (though oddly enough, never the BNP); "political correctness" nine times; "bleeding heart liberals" four times; and Hounslow's Racial Equality Council twice.What a sad situation that the Hounslow borough, which used to pride itself on its inclusiveness and diversity, should now be in a situation whereby AMJA is effectively a police spokesperson.It will come as no surprise to anyone that he is a vociferous and outspoken opponent of Ann Keen (because of the superb work she has done in the field of equalities). Nor is it in the least bit surprising that he is a strong vocal supporter of the ICG and Phil Andrews. (He in fact commended the latter for voting to axe funding to the nationally-renowned "Hounslow Language Service", which provides specialist English teaching to refugee and other vulnerable children).For forum members who would like to view the Chronicle article, here is the link:-http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-news/local-hounslow-news/2010/03/18/black-people-five-times-more-likely-to-be-stopped-109642-26061755/

Robin Taylor ● 5888d19 Comments

"I have no issues whatsoever with race and never have done. I do however have an issue with the levels of immigration. If as you say you find these views "shocking" you should seek professional advice."Harley,You have an issue with race. In your post of 12:43 yesterday, you stated that you use the term "Paki" and see nothing wrong with it. "Paki" is used as a derogatory reference to a person's race (usually by someone who doesn't know how to pronounce the term "Pakistani").You need the professional advice.

Robin Taylor ● 5886d

To Robin Taylor.Just so you know. I have no issues whatsoever with race and never have done.I do however have an issue with the levels of immigration. If as you say you find these views "shocking" you should seek professional advice.Harley Buckner

Harley Buckner ● 5887d

Racists come in all colours, its a base instinct civilisation and intellect is what lifts mankind above it. Unfortunately some people have no intellect and very little civilisation.

Philip Walsh ● 5887d

What do you think?

George Knox ● 5887d

Just to interject guys.... All my bosses are sikh's. They all wear a turban except for the lady who runs the office.They were all born in the UK and if you were to have your eyes closed whilst talking to them they sound as english as the next man.  Sikh's are from India and yet anyone from Pakistan they openly refer to them as "Paki's"....  So even though they have the same skin colour and speak the same lingo does that make my bosses racist???

Andy Wright ● 5887d

Philip, The use of the term "Paki" is frequently accompanied by an act of violence.That is what makes Harley's attempt to justify it all the more deplorable.But what is even worse is that Harley was selected as a Conservative council candidate in a winnable seat, and was subsequently elected. Presumably the Conservative Association in his Feltham & Heston constituency were aware of his shocking views, but nonetheless deemed him to be suitable material to stand as a candidate.Of course, Harley is no longer a councillor (he has been succeeded by another Conservative of higher calibre) because he fell out with the leadership of the council. However, this falling out was not over Harley's disgraceful views on race but over Peter Thompson's alleged lack of interest in the affairs of the west of the borough.As far as I can fathom, Harley has only let on about his racist views since stepping down from the council in 2007. This begs the question: how many more serving Tory councillors on LBH share his attitudes?

Robin Taylor ● 5887d

I've just read through the EHRC report which the article refers to, and one thing has become alarmingly clear. While the ethnicity of people stopped has been recorded, no record has been made of the reason for the stop and any relevant intelligence or witness statements. It therefore fails to exclude people stopped in response to incidents where the ethnicity of the suspect was known, making the whole report completely meaningless.

Ian Fillingham ● 5887d

When AJMA uses a term like Paki it is intended to be an insult, I know of British born children of Pakistani immigrants who use the term Paki and back in Paki land without batting an eye so its not necessarily so that every use of this word is wrong but its not really right is it. The fact that AJMA acts as a representative for the rest off us has always been a disgrace and continues to be a disgrace not just because of his terminology but because of his views. They are not mine and I have made my feelings known to the Police committee but they obviously  don't care. Perhaps institutional racism and fascist principles are still the order of the day in local policing.

Philip Walsh ● 5887d

HarleyDo not be so disparaging.  Everything I wear was in fashion once, and possibly will be again one day.

Phil Andrews ● 5887d

Phil,Happy to accept I’m unfashionable.The trouble with fashions are that they goes out of style… as you must know because I’ve seen what you wear !Hang in there, flaired Jeans with Ban the Bomb patches, Granddad vests, open toe sandals with white socks, love beads and reggae wristbands may make a comeback.Signed: man at C & A

Harley Buckner ● 5887d

HarleyDoes your cave have its own postcode?

Phil Andrews ● 5887d

I don’t know the person involved so am neither defending nor criticising him… however regarding the line …”and (AMJA) tried to justify the use of the term "Paki".”I use the term Paki and see no harm in it. I’m happy to accept that I’m un-PC but to me ‘Paki’ is simply short for Pakistani.Opposite me lives a family from Pakistan, two doors down are a couple from Italy couple and a further two doors down a family from Scotland. When refering to a specific house I will say to my wife either outside the the Paki’s house or outside the Itie’s house or outside the Jock's. It's surely not the word itself but the way it’s meant, for instance whilst in Australia I have had the Term ‘Pommie’ spat at me as an insult whilst my 'Aussie' uncle (with whom I’m very close) continues to call me a ‘Pommie Bastard’ and even my Australian mother has called me a 'Pom' before now.To me a Welshman is a ‘Taffy’ and Television is a ‘Telly’, a Russian a Ruski and a Wellington boot a ‘Wellie’ and I’ll carry on that way until the Thought Police take me away.

Harley Buckner ● 5887d

Perhaps if Alan or Ann Keen had attended one single meeting in the last eight years at least they have been invited to then they could have given their opinion to AMJA in person rather then leave the work to their lapdog?And before Sir Robin from over the border predictably calls me an apologist etc for AMJA I do not agree with his views you have selectively quoted.

Paul Fisher ● 5887d

Sack him I say.

Phil Andrews ● 5888d

"...apart from the fact that a person in a politically restricted post paid for by Hounslow Council taxpayers should not be replying to you on this..."This is a reference to Andrew Sibley, yes?

Robin Taylor ● 5888d

Robin, apart from the fact that a person in a politically restricted post paid for by Hounslow Council taxpayers should not be replying to you on this, all I can say is read my response to you on the W4 website and concentrate your time on your continued defence of the indefensible - Ann Keen.

John Connelly ● 5888d

Predicted response:"Interesting that Phil Andrews and Andy Sibley attack progressive/enlightened me and not AMJA, who is linked to Ray Ferguson, who once sat on a bus with Tom Reader, who in 1964 was seen reading a book about...."

Phil Andrews ● 5888d

And are you a member of the Labour Party?

Phil Andrews ● 5888d

Robin,Can you tell us how many times you have attended meetings of this committee and also would you care to tell us how many times Ann Keen has attended meetings of this committee?

Andrew Sibley ● 5888d