Teather Secures Commons Debate On DNA Database

2.07.16pm GMT Tue 26th Feb 2008

Sarah Teather will speak up for her constituents in the House of Commons

Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, Sarah Teather, has secured a House of Commons debate on the discriminatory impact of the National DNA Database on black and ethnic minority people.

The UK has the largest National DNA Database in the world, with 4.5 million profiles set to be held by the Government by 2010. There are currently 500,000 people on the database who have no current conviction, caution, formal warning or reprimand.

During the debate Sarah will highlight the fact that, if you are black, your details are three times more likely to be stored on record than if you are white. The government's own figures suggest that 77% of young black men will soon have their details held on the database, despite evidence that black people are actually no more likely to have committed a crime than white people.

Sarah Teather is MP for one of the most ethnically diverse constituencies in the country, with 55% of residents coming from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.

The National DNA Database adjournment debate will come before parliament on Friday 29th February 2008 at approximately 2:30pm.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"The over-representation of black people on the Labour Government's database should horrify anyone who cares about justice and fair play.

"There is a real danger that the DNA database just reinforces the myth that black people are more likely to commit crime, and that is a very dangerous untruth.

"The truth is, if you are black, you are no more likely to commit crime and more likely to be a victim of crime.

"55% of the black people who have their details on this database have never committed a crime. Those who are innocent should have their details removed from the DNA database."