Parents kicked out of council playgroup for being British

Outraged mothers have spoken of their ”humiliation” after they were kicked out of a council-funded children’s playgroup – because they were British. Emma Knightley, 25, and Kimberley Wildman, 27, turned up at the ‘Making Links’ playgroup with their children Imogen, 21 months, and Olivia, 18 months. But they were stunned when organisers at the centre in St Neots, Cambs., ordered them to leave after being asked ‘what country are you from’ and they answered ”British”. The best friends were told that only foreign mums and children are welcome at the council-funded playgroup – which they have accused of ”discrimination”.

Shop worker Emma, from St Neots, Cambs., booked a place at the playgroup six weeks ago after it was recommended by a mixed-race friend. She said: ”The first thing I was asked about was my nationality and when I said I was British I was told we had to leave. She said are you not aware this is for foreign people only? I said I knew it was trying to integrate people into the community but didn’t realise that meant British people and their children were banned.



”I felt humiliated. It shouldn’t matter what nationality you are we shouldn’t be discriminated against. You wouldn’t get away with a British-only mum and children’s group. We want to welcome other nations to the community but turning British people away is not the way to do this.” Roger Owen, administrator for Making Links, said that the group is not a ”typical” playgroup and is funded entirely for women from other nationalities.

He said: ”We believe there are plenty of other alternatives for British mothers in the town. We have had an issue with men turning up before and back then we told them the group is strictly for mothers so it’s nothing to do with racial discrimination.” A spokeswoman for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said under the Equality Act 2010 it is not unlawful to set up a group especially for a particular ethnic or national group. Under the act discrimination based on colour is unlawful.