Theresa May vows to scrap mental health laws which ‘discriminate against ethnic minorities’

THERESA May promised to scrap decades old mental health laws because they discriminate against ethnic minority patients.

The PM announced she had appointed psychiatrist Sir Simon Wessely to undertake an independent review of the 30 year old Mental Health Act.

She said the expert would review the legislation to address “widespread concern” of injustice and discrimination in the system.

Mrs May told conference delegates she feared the existing laws were “leading to shortfalls in services and is open to misuse”.

She added: “Detention rates under the Mental Health Act are too high.

“And it is people from black and minority ethnic populations who are affected the most.”