A RADCLIFFE Market trader who accused Bury Council of racial discrimination has lost his case.

Mr Parshotam Lal, of Whitefield, brought a case before Manchester County Court stating that the council, in enforcing stall registration policy and market rules, had discriminated against him by not enforcing the rules to the same degree against white traders.

He also alleged that the council had racially discriminated against him in refusing to allow him to trade from additional stalls.

However, in an extensive 15-page judgment, assistant recorder, Mr David Williams, and lay assessors Mr Khuda Yar Khan and Mr Derek Loney, struck out Mr Lal's case and awarded costs against him.

They summed up their findings with the statement: "We reject the claimant's case that the defendant contravened in any way the Race Relations Act 1976 in its dealings with Mr Lal."

And vindicating the council completely the judgment added: "We reject any allegation that their conduct of the issue of Mr Lal was impelled by other than proper motives."

Mr Ian Cheetham, Bury's director of development and environmental services, the then markets manager, Mr Chris Gribben, and council property services officer, Mr Keith Beamer gave evidence during the five-day hearing. Mr Lal had claimed that he had not been listened to, that racial prejudice had played a part in the decisions against him and that white traders had been given preference over him because he was Asian.

But Mr Williams and his assessors said: "We conclude from all the evidence we have considered for the period August 1998 to December 1990 that there is no evidence that the council were racially prejudiced against Mr Lal and that any such perception he had was misplaced."

The County Court also found in favour of the council from the period December 1990 to the present time during which Mr Lal and his English-born wife, Veronica, who assisted in her husband's case presentation, have continued to trade at Radcliffe Market.

Speaking afterwards Mr Lal said: "I'm very disappointed, justice hasn't been done."

Mr Richard Mann, head of Bury Council's legal services, said: "We are pleased that the court has found in our favour. It has comprehensively ruled that the council did not discriminate racially in any way, at any time.

"The council consistently tried to find common ground with Mr Lal and, in fact, the Judge said it was difficult to see what more the council could have done. However, the case has been struck out, costs have been awarded in our favour. That totally vindicates the council and its position."

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