Why I’m demanding a government investigation into the n-word scandal

This language is not – as some may claim – a harmless relic of a bygone era, writes Labour MP Kim Johnson. Instead, it is a glaring beacon indicating the current manifestations of the colonial state

For many, the use of racist language in this context is of little surprise. The mask is off, the racist hand of the state is laid bare for all to see (AFP via Getty Images)

If evidence was still needed that the British state is structurally and endemically racist, then it’s here in black and white.

The recent discovery of the repeated use of the n-word in government documents and the royal collection, as highlighted by The Independent, has caused widespread outrage. Despite attempts to downplay this as nothing more than a few mistakes that have slipped through the net, it is clearly only the tip of the iceberg. New revelations are emerging almost daily, with the latest racist language being identified in immigration tribunal documents.

Such language goes far beyond the offensive. It exposes the impact of generations of dehumanising government policies, used in decisions that have the potential to have a devastating impact on the lives of Black and minority ethnic people in this country. For many, the use of racist language in this context is of little surprise. The mask is off, the racist hand of the state is laid bare for all to see.