The Board's triumphal communiqué

In 1998, another raft of race law was introduced. 

This legislation quietly upped the ante so that the maximum penalty for 'incitement to racial hatred' was raised from two to seven years.

In a report titled: Response of the Board of Deputies of British Jews to proposals to amend the Race Relations Act, 1976, the Board of Deputies of British Jews issued the following triumphal communiqué:

"THE BOARD HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROPOSALS FOR RACE RELATIONS LEGISLATION IN THE UK…

The Defence Policy and Group Relations Division, which monitors the activities of political extremists and racists, HAS URGED SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENTS TO ENACT AND STRENGTHEN RACE RELATIONS LEGISLATION… It has also sought allies and made common cause with other religious and minority groups.

THE BOARD PLAYED A FUNDAMENTAL PART IN URGING UPON GOVERNMENT THE FIRST RACE RELATIONS ACT which was based, in part, on reports prepared for the Board by Professor Geoffrey Bindman and LORD LESTER of Herne Hill. Subsequently the Board has provided written and oral evidence to enquiries which preceded the passage of the Public Order Act 1986, the Criminal Justice Act 1994 and the Crime and Disorder Act 1998...

There remains some scope for improvement. We regard the proposals of the CRE for legislative change to be well thought out and substantiated… In particular we draw attention to proposed 1B… We would support the extension of the RRA to all government and public bodies. These organisations play a leading role in FORMING PUBLIC OPINION on social issues…

The Board can also see the case for NEW LEGISLATION to combat discrimination and incitement on religious grounds… We are also shortly to respond to the Government’s request that it might consider introducing specific LEGISLATION TO OUTLAW HOLOCAUST DENIAL.”

South African immigrant, Eldred Tabachnick, was Chairman of the Board of British Deputies at time the statement above was published.

He is a close friend of Tony Blair.

Check out Lord Anthony Lester.