It was with mixed feelings that I read last night that Lord Taylor had been found guilty of an expenses fraud.
He is very much a Brumie and his life story is one that could inspire many a child from the inner city.
I only met him once, way back in the 1980s, when he was an unexpected visitor to a conference of Evangelicals for Racial Justice, held in Handsworth.
There were three things that struck me. Firstly there was absolutely no doubt that he would call himself a "born again" Christian. He was able to quote scripture and did so with an encouraging familiarity.
Secondly, his dress and his accent. It was a hot summer's day and yet he was in the traditional suit beloved by barristers, with waistcoat and stripped trousers. And then his accent - it really was the Queen's English and could have come from any major public school.
Thirdly, there were his politics, clearly to the right and clearly conservative.
I could not but admire the way in which he stuck to his guns when arguing with a group of left wing Evangelicals. He showed the same doggedness and courage when he ran as a conservative candidate in the safe seat of Cheltenham. He was actually denounced by local conservative activists who were fully prepared to use the "N word". The "safe" seat was anything but safe for a Black Tory, it went Liberal Democrat.
I must admit I have my doubts about the House of Lords but I was pleased when John Taylor was offered a peerage. Alas he didn't realise that for all intents and purposes it was unpaid - one of the reasons I was not interested when I was sounded out a few years back - and now he has got himself into an almighty mess by claiming on expenses.
I do wonder if the fact that he was Black was a contributing factor in prosecuting him for doing what others are reported to have done. I fear that prison will be no kinder to him than it is for many other Black people.
All in all, a very sad day.
He is very much a Brumie and his life story is one that could inspire many a child from the inner city.
I only met him once, way back in the 1980s, when he was an unexpected visitor to a conference of Evangelicals for Racial Justice, held in Handsworth.
There were three things that struck me. Firstly there was absolutely no doubt that he would call himself a "born again" Christian. He was able to quote scripture and did so with an encouraging familiarity.
Secondly, his dress and his accent. It was a hot summer's day and yet he was in the traditional suit beloved by barristers, with waistcoat and stripped trousers. And then his accent - it really was the Queen's English and could have come from any major public school.
Thirdly, there were his politics, clearly to the right and clearly conservative.
I could not but admire the way in which he stuck to his guns when arguing with a group of left wing Evangelicals. He showed the same doggedness and courage when he ran as a conservative candidate in the safe seat of Cheltenham. He was actually denounced by local conservative activists who were fully prepared to use the "N word". The "safe" seat was anything but safe for a Black Tory, it went Liberal Democrat.
I must admit I have my doubts about the House of Lords but I was pleased when John Taylor was offered a peerage. Alas he didn't realise that for all intents and purposes it was unpaid - one of the reasons I was not interested when I was sounded out a few years back - and now he has got himself into an almighty mess by claiming on expenses.
I do wonder if the fact that he was Black was a contributing factor in prosecuting him for doing what others are reported to have done. I fear that prison will be no kinder to him than it is for many other Black people.
All in all, a very sad day.
