Racist claims

5:47pm Wednesday 29th November 2000

Anglo-German relations in Barnet are at a low point this week following revelations about an ill-fated trip to Germany.

Young anti-racist campaigners claim some of their hosts in twin town Siegen were less than hospitable. Racist taunts, chants and comments were all made, it is alleged. Furthermore, members of the Barnet Youth Against Racism group say they also suffered intimidation from thugs wearing neo-Nazi symbols.

While details of the visit are still emerging, Barnet Council has rightly sent a strong letter to the Siegen authorities demanding an explanation. We must wait to see what the Germans have to say for themselves, but this sort of behaviour is clearly not acceptable.

As council leader Alan Williams says, raising the profile of anti-racism was always going to be tough but this is the thin end of the wedge for our youngsters.

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