'A national disgrace!' Rupert Lowe blasts London council over woke job ad: 'Cancer of DEI runs through Britain'

"I think it's a national disgrace and it's happening across the country, in the NHS, in local councils - when are we going to get to the situation where people are hired on merit alone?" Lowe told GB News.

The MP condemned the growing trend of quota-based hiring over merit-based selection in public sector organisations.

The council's job listing states it will employ "positive discrimination" to select a non-white candidate when faced with applicants of equal merit.

The advert specifically encourages applications from those with "Global Majority (GM)" backgrounds, including people who are "Black, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south".

The advert reads: "The council is committed to achieving diverse shortlists to support our desire to increase the number of staff from underrepresented groups in our workforce.

"We especially encourage applications from a Global Majority (GM), people who are Black, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities (formally known as BAME - Black, Asian and Multiple ethnic) background."

Lowe emphasised that personal characteristics should not influence hiring decisions. "Ultimately, I don't think it matters what people's colour is, what their sexuality is. What matters is merit," he told GB News.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• London council posts woke DEI job ad which discriminates against white applicants
• Farage blasts 'nonsense' net zero push to 'swap cow's milk' as council issues grovelling apology
• Parents left outraged as school survey questions children's 'drug intake' and 'gender identity'

The Reform UK MP warned that DEI practices are becoming widespread across Britain's institutions.

"The cancer of DEI is running deep through Britain. It's running deep through the public sector, it runs deep through a lot of the big multinationals," he said.

He argued that such policies would not exist in private companies, where merit-based hiring is essential.

"If it was a private company it wouldn't happen, because people need people based on merit, nothing else," Lowe added.

The job listing has sparked outrage on social media, with users questioning its legality and fairness.

One user said: “Hiring the best should be the priority in any field, not DEI hires”, whilst another said: “How is this legal?”

While the position is open to all applicants, the council explicitly states it will use provisions within the Equality Act 2010 to appoint Global Majority candidates when choosing between equally qualified individuals.

The controversial listing will remain open for applications until January 24.