Support for Suspension of Lord Ian Austin from Midland Heart Group

Dear Members of the Midland Heart Group, 

We hope this letter finds you well. We, the Birmingham Race Impact Group, write  to you today with great concern regarding the recent Islamophobic tweet posted  by Lord Ian Austin, the Chair of the Board at Midland Heart Group. For the  avoidance of doubt, Islamaphobia refers to prejudice, discrimination or hostility  directed against Islam or Muslims. In this instance it has manifested in a negative  portrayal of Islam through social media. Islamaphobia is recognised as a form of bigotry and violates principles of equality, human rights, and respect for diversity  as enshrined in the Equality Act 2010, Public Order Act 1986, and no doubt within  Midland Heart’s own anti-discrimination policies. 

On 10 February 2024, Lord Austin took to the social media platform X, formerly  Twitter, to share a highly offensive and Islamophobic statement. His tweet, which  read: “before you go to bed, nip down and check you haven’t inadvertently got a  death cult of Islamist murderers and rapists running their operations downstairs,”  has caused immense distress and upset within the Muslim community. It not only  promotes division among communities but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes  and fuels hatred against Muslims. 

As the Chair of the Board at Midland Heart Group, Lord Austin holds a position of  influence and responsibility. His Islamophobic tweet undermines the principles of  inclusivity, diversity, and respect that should be upheld by your organisation. It  sends a message that discrimination and prejudice are tolerated, which is  contrary to the values that Midland Heart Group claims to uphold.

Moreover, Lord Austin’s actions directly violate the National Housing Federation’s  Code of Governance, Midland Heart’s chosen Code of Governance, undermining  fundamental principles: 

Principle 1: 

· Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: In Section 1.3 – there is an explicit mandate for  boards to champion equality, diversity and inclusion across all organisational  endeavours. We assert that this encompasses the conduct of the most senior  member, aligning with the NHF Code of Conduct and the Nolan Principles. Lord  

Austin’s actions clearly contravene the Nolan Seven Principles of Public Life and  the NHF Code of Conduct. 

· Culture: Section 1.4 is explicit about the board’s responsibility to shape and  uphold a culture and behaviours aligned with the organisation’s mission and  values. This involves leading by example, fostering the desired culture, and  ensuring its implementation. Lord Austin’s offensive tweet blatantly disregards  these expectations. 

· Integrity: Section 1.5 emphasises the importance of strong moral principles,  honesty and decency among board members. Lord Austin’s behaviour reflects a  lack of probity, failing to meet the ethical standards expected of a chairman  serving a diverse community through leading a housing association. 

· Accountability: Section 1.6 underscores the board’s obligation to be accountable  to all stakeholders, including residents and staff. Lord Austin’s actions  demonstrate lack of accountability, particularly towards the Muslim community,  an integral part of Midland Heart’s constituency. 

· Reputation and Trust: Section 1.7 highlights the significance of upholding  Midland Heart’s reputation and trust. Lord Austin’s inflammatory remarks not  only tarnish Midland Heart’s reputation but also brings the entire housing sector  into disrepute. 

Principle 3: 

· Lord Austin’s ability to chair the organisation, as outlined in the ‘from principle  to practice’ sections of Principle 3, is severely compromised. The Board must  commit to embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) throughout the  organisation. However, Lord Austin’s actions cast doubt on his capacity to lead  Midland Heart’s personnel and performance matters with integrity and efficacy.

In light of this incident, BRIG supports the suspension of Lord Ian Austin pending  investigation. We firmly believe his Islamophobic statement is incompatible with  the values and ethos of your organisation. It is imperative that Midland Heart  takes a firm stance against Islamophobia and demonstrates a commitment to  fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all. 

We call upon Lord Ian Austin to resign from his position as Chair of the Board. We  believe that it is only by holding individuals accountable for their actions that we  can work towards building a society that embraces diversity and promotes  harmony among all communities.  

We kindly request a prompt response to this urgent matter. We hope that  Midland Heart will demonstrate its commitment to equality, diversity, and  inclusion by taking the necessary steps to address this issue and ensure that such  incidents are not repeated in the future. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to hearing from you  soon. 

Yours sincerely, 

Ranjit Sondhi  

Chair 

Birmingham Race Impact Group