The latest is a Tory peer who inadvertently used the phrase "nigger in the woodpile" – and immediately apologised not once but twice.

That did not save him for a torrent of abuse, with the master opportunist Keith Vaz MP in the lead: "It shows a lack of understanding and sensitivity to the ethnic community and we will judge Mr Cameron on how he responds." I bet they will.

The Rotherham MP Denis MacShane called on the peer to stand down as a spokesman. "Cameron condemns but always covers up for the ugly face of the Tory Party that can't stop itself saying out loud what so many of them think deep down," he said.

I have enough respect for MacShane to be sure he doesn't believe a word of this garbage, but the temptation to cash in is irresistible.

There was a time when the Labour Party was not so spiteful and mean-minded. I recall Tom Driberg, the Labour MP and journalist, describing a conversation at the House of Commons with Seretse Khama, the African leader who was being prevented from returning to his homeland because he had married a white woman (a marriage which proved long and happy). Driberg said: "Of course, Seretse, the Foreign Office would allow you back but it's Ruth who is the nigger in the woodpile."

Seretse Khama's response was to roar with laughter. Lucky for Driberg that Keith Vaz wasn't around at the time or he might have been in big trouble.

Boris Johnson has already lost two key aides, the first on another trumped-up allegation of racism.

The second was a much more serious loss. He was Ray Lewis, recruited
as deputy mayor by Johnson because of his pioneering work with black youngsters.

The Guardian's society editor describes Lewis thus: "A compelling and extraordinary social entrepreneur whose achievement with an after-school club for disruptive young black African-Caribbean boys at
risk of exclusion has won him plaudits and respect among professionals and across the political spectrum. Not for nothing was it awarded a prestigious Guardian charity award last year."

Lewis placed the emphasis on discipline, academic learning, sport, community work, social skills such as public speaking, and lessons in leadership. The first batch of students are due to take GCSE exams within the next 18 months. Now everything is in the air because of unproven allegations about his distant past when he was a clergyman. The future of the whole club, the Eastside Young Leaders Academy, is in the balance.

But what does it matter if the future of these youngsters goes down the drain? The main thing is that Labour has secured another scalp in Boris Johnson's administration. Is it any wonder people feel like vomiting when they hear the word "politician"?

Trevor Phillips, head of the Equality Commission, says he is sick and tired of the endless debates about what is supposedly racist and what isn't. He adds: "We want people to be allowed to speak freely. You should be okay to say anything you like as long as it's not calculated to offend."

Bravely said, but is Labour listening, or will they go on poisoning society as they are doing at present?



YOU might hope that, having won their own fight against discrimination, gays would be tolerant of the rights of others. Not so, it seems.

A Christian registrar who asked to be excused from conducting civil partnerships for same-sex couples was bullied, harassed and threatened with the sack by the council. She was told that it was like refusing to marry a black couple – a disgusting suggestion seeing that she herself was black.

At first there was little difficulty because she simply swopped shifts with colleagues. But then the Blair Government introduced a disgraceful law making religious objections invalid. She still stood her ground and took her case to an industrial tribunal.

Amazingly, it found in her favour, saying that Islington Council had violated her dignity "and created an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating and offensive environment for her". The gay
pressure group, Stonewall, was particularly active.

It is no surprise to find that it is Islington Council which is involved. This is the council which ignored systematic abuse of children in council care during the 1990s. Two social workers who asked for an inquiry into the abuse were ignored.

When the London Evening Standard revealed devastating evidence, the leader of the council, Margaret Hodge, attacked it as "gutter journalism". She got her comeuppance when an official report found that the council was "paralysed by equal opportunity and race issues which prevented any proper investigation of complaints".

It was found that staff in children's homes were not asked for references if they were gay, because this would be judgmental. One paedophile was eventually jailed for seven years. Others simply disappeared.

Blair's response was to make Hodge Minister for Children. Could cynicism get any worse?