Liverpool's Mayor has offered a 'wholehearted apology' to minority groups in the city for not doing enough to promote equality and opportunities for all.
Mayor Anderson put out a video message on social media reflecting on the Black Lives Matter protests that have taken place across the UK -
including in Liverpool - following the death of George Floyd in the United States.
The city leader said he had to admit that Liverpool has not done enough in recent years to promote equality and opportunities for those from minority backgrounds.
He reflected on a city council that he has led for 10 years that still has a very small number of BAME elected members and said much more must be done to change.
Mayor Anderson said: "I think its important when events unfold you reflect on them in a considered way.
"Having watched the events unfold over the last ten days after the death of George Floyd and the demonstrations, the Black Lives Matter demonstrations that have taken place across the world, but also across the UK and here in Liverpool.
"Its these times that you have to think things through and think about those events and to reflect that sometimes things haven't been done in the way that they should have been.
"I've looked over the last few years and recognise that Liverpool hasn't done anywhere near the amount or the things it should have done in changing not only how it operates as a city council and whether that's through employment rights or whether as political representation or whether its influencing and changing how others think, our partners and the city itself - how it changes towards the lives of black, brown and ethnic minority groups within the city and for that I apologise.
"I wholeheartedly apologise and I think that reflection then and thinking about whether we should say sorry means that you come to a conclusion that you should and then you have to follow that up don't you?
"You have to make sure that if we apologise for something that we change, we don't just do it again or repeat the same thing - so we have to change."
Kim Johnson was elected as Liverpool's first black MP in December and now represents the Riverside constituency.
Responding to Mayor Anderson's video she vowed to work with the city leader on these issues.
She tweeted: "An honest reflection from @mayor_anderson and an admission that the council - not just one individual - haven't done as much as they could have.
"I'm with you, Joe, on the fact we have to change - you have my commitment to work with you to turn words into action across our city."
