Bradford Council has apologised after producing a promotional poster celebrating the city’s communities that featured only white staff.
The pictures were used on social media and showed seven council mangers holding signs saying #TogetherBradfordCan as part of a campaign to help the area recover from the coronavirus lockdown.
Bradford is recognised as one of the most racially diverse cities in the UK, with the 2011 census showing that more than 30% of its residents are from BAME groups. The council has now removed the image and apologised.
Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe and Chief Executive Kersten England said in a joint statement: “We acknowledge that the images did not properly represent the full rich ethnic diversity of communities within our great district and we have instructed that they are not used again.
“While we are working with communities and businesses from all corners of Bradford District to raise awareness of the incredible work, innovation and resilience being shown by people across the district, we understand that these images were misleading and both have been removed immediately.
“We take equality and diversity incredibly seriously, which is why this is so disappointing. We will use this as an opportunity to reflect as an organisation on how we are ensuring we live out our commitment to equality and diversity.”
Labour Councillor Mohammed Amran said he was “extremely disappointed and ashamed” by the photos.
“I was elected by the the diverse communities of Bradford and proudly represent them all but this poster doesn’t represent or reflect our Bradford communities and our council staff,” he said.
Another Labour councillor, Ralph Berry, said the image had left him “fuming”.
“I have complained, I am embarrassed and apologise. Thought we left this behind 20 years ago.”
