PALACE RACE ROW
Lawyer claims Lady Susan also quizzed him about ethnicity – as Ngozi Fulani says Buckingham Palace hasn’t spoken to her
A LAWYER has claimed Lady Susan Hussey also quizzed him about his ethnicity at the same Buckingham Palace event she asked Ngozi Fulani racist questions.
Lady Hussey became embroiled in a racism storm after reportedly quizzing black British charity boss Ngozi over her nationality at the reception on Tuesday.
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The royal aide resigned yesterday after allegedly asking Ngozi at Buckingham Palace: "Where are you really from?"
British-born Ngozi attended the event on behalf of domestic abuse charity Sistah Space to mark the UN's 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
Lady Hussey repeatedly questioned what part of Africa she was from and when she first came to the UK, Ngozi claims.
And Nazir Afzal, former chief crown prosecutor for the North West, has now claimed he was also questioned about his heritage at the event.
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The top lawyer tweeted: "I was at the Buckingham Palace reception at which Lady Hussey questioned the heritage of a brilliant DV expert Ngozi Fulani.
"She only asked me my heritage once & seemed to accept my answer - Manchester currently! Racism is never far away tho."
Yesterday a palace spokesman said in a statement that they "have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes".
However, speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain today, Ngozi Fulani claimed that Buckingham Palace have not spoken to her since the race row.
Most read in The Sun
When asked whether the palace had contacted her about the interaction involving Lady Susan Hussey, Ms Fulani told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "No. People keep saying the palace has reached out to me. Nobody has reached out to me."
Pressed on whether the palace had reached out to her via her charity, Sistah Space, Ms Fulani said: "No. I don't know where this has come from, but I'm telling you categorically - we have not heard from the palace."
Ms Fulani said that if she receives an invitation from the Prince of Wales to attend the palace and discuss her experience she would accept it, telling GMB: "See, what we're about is positive results, so absolutely, I think a discussion should be held.
"We're very happy to have that discussion, because we just want to bring it back to the 16 days of activism.
"This is about violence against women and girls, and although I didn't experience physical violence, what I feel I experienced was a form of abuse."
Alleged 'racist' Buckingham Palace encounter
Lady Susan Hussey: Where are you from?
Ngozi Fulani: Sistah Space.
Lady Susan Hussey: No, where do you come from?
Ngozi Fulani: We're based in Hackney.
Lady Susan Hussey: No, what part of Africa are you from?
Ngozi Fulani: I don't know, they didn't leave any records.
Lady Susan Hussey: Well, you must know where you're from. I spent time in France. Where are you from?
Ngozi Fulani: Here, the UK.
Lady Susan Hussey: No, but what nationality are you?
Ngozi Fulani: I was born here and am British.
Lady Susan Hussey: No, but where do you really come from? Where do your people come from?
Ngozi Fulani: 'My people?' Lady, what is this?
Lady Susan Hussey: Oh, I can see I'm going to have a challenge getting you to say where you're from. When did you first come here?
Ngozi Fulani: Lady! I am a British national. My parents came here in the 50s.
Lady Susan Hussey: Oh, I knew we'd get there in the end. You're Caribbean.
Ngozi Fulani: No lady, I am of African heritage, Caribbean descent and British nationality.
Lady Susan Hussey: Oh, so you're from...
It has also been revealed that Lady Hussey allegedly made controversial comments over Harry and Meghan's wedding back in 2018.
Ngozi Fulani added that her interaction with the late Queen's lady in waiting was "like an interrogation" and that she felt she was being forced to "denounce my British citizenship".
She said the experience, just 10 minutes after arriving, left her ";insulted" with "mixed feelings" about the royal visit.
Speaking on Radio 4 today Ngozi said: "At that time, I'm thinking to myself, is it that she - because she keeps asking me the same question - could it be that she can't hear me well? Because you have to consider so many things when you're talking to someone who may be older than you.
"But it soon dawned on me very quickly that this was nothing to do with her capacity to understand, but this is her trying to make me really denounce my British citizenship.
"I was left completely stunned and it just continued for about five minutes. It felt like an interrogation.
"I want the focus to remain where it should be. I have to keep the focus on violence against women and girls."
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A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "We have reached out through one of the organisations to which Ngozi Fulani is aligned, and understand that our profound regret at the unacceptable comments made has been shared with her, along with our hope that she will engage with the Palace to discuss her experience.
"We have yet to hear back on that front - but very much hope that we can work with her when she is ready, and express apologies in person.
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