THE mother of a girl described as “a stroppy teenager of colour” by a council lawyer has thanked the authority for dropping his services.
Brighton and Hove City Council said it has “immediately” withdrawn instructions from lawyer Jon Holbrook after a series of Twitter posts came to light.
The senior barrister tweeted that the Equality Act was “empowering the stroppy teenager of colour” in response to the story of pupil Ruby Williams, who was sent home from school because of her Afro hair.
Ruby’s mother, Kate Williams, now campaigns against Afro hair discrimination in UK schools.
She said: “I’m no law expert, although the last few years I’ve had to be. I wouldn’t want him to represent us so I don’t blame the council for feeling the same way. His views are quite extreme and not fitting for someone in his position of power of other people’s lives.”
The Williams family, who live in East London, were awarded an £8,500 discrimination pay-out following an Equality Act case against Ruby’s school. The school, also in London, claimed her natural Afro broke its uniform policy.
Retweeting a video about the case by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Mr Holbrook said: “The Equality Act undermines school discipline by empowering the stroppy teenager of colour.”
A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “The council immediately withdrew instructions from Jon Holbrook when we became aware of his social media posts.
“We made clear to his chambers our concerns and that we would not be using him again.”
London-based barristers Cornerstone, where Mr Holbrook worked, announced he was sacked on Monday.
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A spokesman said: “Today, at an extraordinary chamber meeting, the members of Cornerstone Barristers voted to expel Mr Jon Holbrook from chambers.
“After today Mr Holbrook will cease being a member of Cornerstone Barristers.
“The expulsion followed an investigation into tweeting from Mr Holbrook’s personal Twitter account.
“Members were clear that statements made on social media by Mr Holbrook were irreconcilable with membership of Cornerstone Barristers.
“Cornerstone Barristers reiterates its repudiation of the contents of Mr Holbrook’s particularly offensive tweet on January 17 and all that it insinuated.
“Mr Holbrook’s views have never reflected the views of these Chambers. We unequivocally condemn discrimination in all its forms.”
The Argus contacted Mr Holbrook for comment but he had not responded by the time we went to press.
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