Investigation launched into failings surrounding Bijan Ebrahimi murder

Council officers will face an investigation into the failings and institutional racism surrounding the murder of Bijan Ebrahimi.

A damning independent report published in December found that those who were supposed to provide support for the disabled refugee consistently treated him as part of the problem and even sided with his abusers.

Mr Ebrahimi was set on fire by his neighbour, Lee James, in a fatal attack at his Brislington home on July 14 2013, following years of abuse from his tormentors, who mistakenly believed him to be a paedophile.

The review by the Safer Bristol Partnership (SBP) criticised failings within Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Bristol City Council.

Yet, while four police and community support officers were dismissed, and two jailed, for misconduct in the wake of a report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), no council officers have faced any disciplinary action.

“I’m not asking for a witch hunt, I’m asking for a proper investigation and for disciplinary action to be taken if, and when, necessary to restore confidence in our services,” said Mark Brain at a full council meeting on Monday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtT-Upi6iVk

The Labour councillor for Hartcliffe and Withywood led calls for the mayor to launch a rigorous investigation into the behaviour of council staff and for training to be implemented to ensure such failings never happen again.

His motion states: “Whilst most of the blame for the murder lies with the murderer, that does not excuse employees of both Avon and Somerset Police and Bristol City Council from their share of responsibility.”

Seconding the motion, Harriet Bradley, Labour councillor for Brislington West, said: “Events like this put a stain on our city.

“I remind us all to be on guard to challenge racism. If we wish our city to be truly inclusive and a genuine city of Sanctuary, every one of us has work to do.”

Describing the death of Bijan Ebrahimi as an “appalling and completely avoidable tragedy”, Carla Denyer said it reflects very poorly on Bristol as a city.

“The Ebrahimi tragedy was a combination of individual racism and institutional racism,” said the Green councillor for Clifton Down.

“This is a really complex and serious issue, and we need a robust process to tackle it.”

She acknowledged that huge changes in the way the council works have taken place since the murder four years ago and supported additional training to “chip away at the institutionally racist culture”.

Mayor Marvin Rees apologised wholeheartedly to the victim’s family in the wake of the SBP report.

Speaking at City Hall on Monday, he said: “When I met Bijan’s sisters, what they needed to know was that they mattered.”

He acknowledged that where the police had been quick to apologise and take action, the council had been slow.

“I think there is an issue with individuals, but this will not be solved by finding individuals,” he added.

“Institutional racism does not exist in an abstract, so we have reached out to public organisations to begin to address this as a key issue.”

The motion gained overwhelming cross-party support.

Read more: Police and council ‘institutionally racist’ prior to Bijan  Ebrahimi murder