A public inquiry into institutional racism in Lambeth Council has called the borough's chief executive to account.

A panel chaired by Professor Chris Mullard, with members including Dame Jocelyn Barrow, Baroness Howells and Martin Walsh, questioned chief executive Faith Boardman for four hours last Wednesday at the Assembly Room, Brixton, on whether she should hold herself responsible for institutional racism at the former Lambeth Community Alarms Service (LCAS).

At the meeting Ms Boardman denied she was ultimately accountable for the situation, saying she delegated responsibilities.

When asked if she believed black workers had experienced racism, she said: "I believe their feelings and have strong sympathy.

"My assessment is there was pain in many places in that unit, which is a very sad situation for all concerned."

A call for her resignation was met with applause from the 200-strong audience.

Seven workers at the department complained about racism to Ms Boardman in April 2001, which they claim was not followed up adequately.

LCAS worker Eugenie Small said: "Faith Boardman is in overall charge of Lambeth and is responsible for her managers, who should be held accountable.

"Equality and diversity should not just be basic rhetoric but should actually mean something."

The complaint was that manager Anya Oyewole and her team had victimised mainly black LCAS officers since 1996.

A spokesman for Movement for Justice, which is representing the workers, said former housing director John Broomfield, assistant director Patsy Aduba and manager Dorothy Quest, failed to act on the complaint.

Alex Owolade, chairman of the Movement for Justice and Unison shop steward, claims he was sacked from his job as a Homeless Assessment Officer in 2001 for exposing racism.

He said: "This inquiry is setting a precedent because it is the first one in Britain looking into the institutional racism of a local authority.

"This inquiry means to racism in local government what the Stephen Lawrence inquiry meant to racism in the police and brings to light an endemic pattern of racial victimisation and discrimination that has been allowed to persist in Lambeth Council for years."

His employment tribunal hearing, which started on Monday, lasts until May 8 at 101 London Road, Croydon, and is open to the public.

He said: "I am hopeful for my re-instatement because the council has to be publicly accountable.

"So many sections of the community are standing behind me showing a real will for justice and equality to which the council must listen."

The public inquiry continues until late May and results will be published in June.

May 6, 2003 15:30