Diverse cabinet is no ‘get-out-of-jail-free card’ on racism, says ex-No 10 adviser

Samuel Kasumu said politicians were failing to rise to the challenge on tackling racism. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

A former Downing Street race adviser has warned the government not to use its diversity as a “get-out-of-jail-free card” on tackling racism after a senior minister denied that the Conservatives had a problem after the Frank Hester row.

Samuel Kasumu, a former No 10 adviser on civil society and communities, said he was “frustrated and disappointed” by the party’s response to the scandal, adding: “I know that we can do better.”