Scotland’s top civil servant has been criticised over the Government’s record in employing people from ethnic minorities.
Labour MSP Anas Sarwar accused Leslie Evans of leading one of the most “chronically under-representative” bodies in the country.
He blasted: “What action are you taking to address that?”
Evans, the Permanent Secretary, was mocked on social media after “taking the knee” in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Critics drew a contrast between the symbolic support she offered and the lack of people from black, asian and minority ethnic (BAME)backgrounds in the Government.
While around 4% of Scotland’s population is BAME, Evans gave a speech last year during which she revealed that only 2.2% of the Government workforce identified as “minority ethnic”.
She also noted that only 3% of senior civil servants in December 2018 - 5 people - were in this category.
At a meeting of a Holyrood committee today, Sarwar challenged Evans:
“I welcome the signs of solidarity that you and others in the Scottish Government have shown in taking the knee and in showing solidarity with minority communities.
“But to be frank it will be actions that people will judge the Scottish Government on and officials on, rather than their words.
“You lead one of the most chronically under-representative organisations in our country."
Evans agreed there is “much more to do” and added that the Government had carried out a lot of work to ensure recruitment reflected the diversity of Scotland.
She also said they had the highest level of minority ethnic colleagues ever in the senior civil service at around 4%.
Sarwar also made a speech earlier this week during which he revealed that every college and university principal, as well as every headteacher and prison governor, is white.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousa also recently tweeted that every high court judge and police officer of the rank of assistant chief constable or above is white.
