The post of disability rights commissioner should never have been abolished and must be re-instated, an MP has warned.
Shipley MP Philip Davies branded the decision by the Equality and Human Rights Commission “disgraceful” and urged Government to intervene and ensure the candidate who was given the job secures the role.
Mr Davies said: “Last year the Government advertised for a disability rights commissioner and Lord Shinkwin applied for the post, was appointed to the post and was then promptly told the post had been abolished by the EHRC. Will the Secretary of State reverse the disgraceful decision to abolish the post of disability rights commissioner and restore Lord Shinkwin to his rightful position in that post.”
Lord Shinkwin was told just 36 hours before he was due to attend his first EHRC board meeting that the role of disability commission had been made “redundant” and that he had only been appointed as a commissioner.
Equalities Minister Nick Gibb said: “The disability rights commissioner role was an operation role and matter for the EHRC itself and the secretary of state has no powers to appoint to reinstate a disability commissioner.”
Mr Davies said a disability commissioner was vital in ensuring disabled people are protected and their rights heard.
The EHRC claim that instead of having one disabled champion in the form of a disability right commissioner, all staff play a part in championing the needs of disabled people.