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Hugh Muir has spent much of his journalistic career chronicling the working lives of Britain’s black and minority ethnic police officers. In this programme, he investigates claims that racism is on the rise within policing in the UK. In 1990, the Met acknowledged that it had a problem holding on to its black officers and decided to ask black and Asian staff why so many of them were leaving. Almost all the force’s black police officers attended a two-day meeting at the then Bristol Polytechnic that summer. They had no choice - it was mandatory. The officers all shared experiences of racist ‘banter’ and other mistreatment they had suffered on the job. Many found it therapeutic. However, 30 years on from the ‘Bristol meeting’, black officers say that despite some initial improvements, not much has changed. Some even contend that racism within policing got worse. And since the backlash that followed the killing of George Floyd last year, black officers now face growing hostility from outside as well as from within. For this programme, Hugh has spoken to several black and minority ethnic officers, both serving and retired. They include Andrew George, President of the National Black Police Association, and retired superintendent Leroy Logan, whose life story was recently adapted for the screen by the Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen in his film anthology Small Axe. “I think black cops deserve more internal and external support as the key to making the real progress we all say we want,” Hugh says. Produced by George Luke A Cast Iron Radio production for BBC Radio 4
In the first of a two part series, journalist Hugh Muir examines Carib-British identity through the descendants of Windrush. Seventy years ago, 492 men and women disembarked at Tilbury dock from the Empire Windrush. We have seen the photos and the newsreels. But what happened next? What do we know about the families they built here, the children and grandchildren? Did the Caribbean culture they brought with them endure, or are their children and grandchildren in all ways British? Hugh Muir explores the lives and identities of British Caribbeans in the UK. There are almost 1 million people in the UK who identify as having Caribbean or mixed Caribbean heritage. Through the stories and memories of Hugh's family and others, he tries to understand how a British Caribbean presence and identity was formed over three generations. This first episode is set between two homes - that of Hugh's dad, William Edward in rural Aberdeen, south west Jamaica, and the traditional Caribbean front room of the 1960s and 70s. It was in this symbolic space that many West-Indian parents, including Hugh's now ageing and frail father, paraded the beliefs and values they sought to pass down to subsequent generations - religious values, work ethic and aspiration. It was where children absorbed their parents' culture via the radiogram, blues parties, prayer gatherings and stories of "back home". But passing the torch from conservative parents with a sense of Empire and notions of the Motherland to children forced to navigate Britain as it was, while forming their own identities, was not an easy process. There was conflict inside and outside the home and a struggle with the authorities, which continues to this day with the Windrush immigration scandal. And yet there emerged from that process an explosion of vital and distinct British Caribbean culture - lovers rock, the soundsystem, a look, and a vocabulary that helped the Windrush children stamp their imprint on British society and pave the way for the next generation. A Cast Iron Radio production for BBC Radio 4.
The Guardian’s political editor Anushka Asthana alongside Paul Mason, Rafael Behr, Hugh Muir, Polly Toynbee and John Harris reflect on the tumultuous battle for the heart of the Labour party and ask whether Labour regain power?
As the dust settles on the elections in Uganda, where Yoweri Museveni has prolonged a presidential reign of longer than 30 years, Hugh Muir looks at the trade-offs between progress and freedom Read a transcript of the podcast
This year we have reported on pollution from Mexico City to Manila, corruption in Mali and how Ebola is scarring west Africa. But what happened next? Hugh Muir talks to our reporters to find out• Read a transcript of the podcast
Hugh Muir speaks to the former World Bank economist William Easterly about how he changed his mind on the political ramifications of aid. Plus, how Somaliland defied the critics to become a democracy
Hugh Muir and guests discuss the relaunch of the iPlayer with more exclusive content – is it enough after the BBC3 closure?
Should the BBC strive for impartiality, or reflect the views of the licence-fee payers? Hugh Muir looks at the latest poll results
Hugh Muir and guests discuss what impact the newly appointed editors and expected new BBC1 chief will make
Hugh Muir and a panel of guests answer your G8-related questions in front of a live audience• Read a transcript of the recording
Hugh Muir, Roy Greenslade and Tim Crook discuss how the consensus fell apart. Plus, Jesse Thorn talks to Helen Zaltzman about the patent trolls going after podcast producers
Hugh Muir, standing in for John Plunkett this week, and guests ponder what next for press regulation as David Cameron announces his response to Leveson
As political parties, newspaper editors and campaign groups suggest their own solutions to press regulation, Lord Justice Leveson offers some new problems to solve. Hugh Muir sifts through the week's developments
Riots on the Streets:What can we Learn? Urban riots broke out across England in 2011, the worst since those of the 1980s. Then, as now, political authorities initially saw them as pure criminality. But is it coincidental that both eras are characterised by deepening inequality and economic crisis? What can the 1980s tell us about keeping the peace in troubled times? Are there lessons to be learnt in community relations and how communities are listened to or policed? Speakers included Sharon Grant (Bernie Grant Trust), Sir Philip Mawer (Secretary to the Scarman Report), Professor Tim Newburn (LSE) and Devon Thomas (Community Activist). The event was chaired by Hugh Muir (The Guardian).
Hugh Muir presents a roundup of the week's media news, including accusations of a cover-up at the BBC. Plus, Helen Zaltzman and Steve Ackerman discuss what 4G means for content producers.
With the toll of cycling casualties growing, Hugh Muir asks what needs to happen for roads to become a safer place for bikes
With the toll of cycling casualties growing, Hugh Muir asks what needs to happen for roads to become a safer place for bikes
Hugh Muir examines the government's new housing strategy. Will it make any difference?
Hugh Muir examines whether ex-servicemen and women are given the help they need to adapt to civilian life
Hugh Muir explores the political and business possibilities for post-Gaddafi Libya
Hugh Muir examines proposed cuts to disability benefits. Is this a sensible plan to get the finances under control, or an attack on the most vulnerable?
This week the SNP announced it will hold a referendum on full Scottish independence. Hugh Muir explores what devolution offers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Hugh Muir examines whether home owners need more protection from squatters - and what effect criminalisation will have on the homeless
Chief political correspondent Nicholas Watt, RUSI defence analyst Mark Phillips and the Independent's Bruce Anderson join Hugh Muir to discuss the PM's first war
Will free schools drain funds and resources - or raise educational standards? Hugh Muir examines their likely impact
Last month disturbances in north London triggered riots around England. Hugh Muir looks at prospects for Tottenham as it attempts to move on
We give millions to the Lawn Tennis Association every year to get more people playing and to improve elite performance. Hugh Muir asks if it's working
Hugh Muir talks to health experts to find out how the changes to the way the NHS is financed will affect its service and where the necessary savings can be made
Hugh Muir explores the reasons for the apparent upsurge in religious hatred in Scotland. How much deeper than the football matches between Celtic and Rangers does this go?
On the first anniversary of the coalition government, Hugh Muir and Martin Wainwright visit David Cameron and Nick Clegg's constituencies of Witney and Sheffield
Hugh Muir asks whether the target of getting 70,000 unemployed Londoners into work through London 2012 is being achieved
How are the Metropolitan police preparing for this weekend's mass demonstrations against public spending cuts? Hugh Muir investigates