Macdonald Inquiry

The Macdonald Inquiry into Racism and Racial Violence in Manchester was set up by Manchester City Council in 1987 following the death of Ahmed Iqbal Ullah, aged 13, who was killed by a fellow pupil in the playground of Burnage High School on 17 September 1986. The Inquiry opened on 21 May at Longsight Library chaired by Ian Macdonald QC, leading barrister and specialist in immigration and race relations law. He was assisted by three assessors, Lily Khan, Gus John and Reena Bhavnani.

Manchester City Council initially appointed Jack Thornley as independent solicitor to the Inquiry, who was subsequently replaced by Robert Lizar Solicitors. Statements and evidence were taken from a wide range of individuals and groups involved in education including pupils, teachers, parents, community organisations, social workers and youth workers. The key objectives of the Macdonald Inquiry were to:

• Examine the extent to which there was a racial aspect to the circumstances surrounding the death of Ahmed Iqbal Ullah,

• Examine the extent to which there were racial aspects to problems of violence and discipline in Burnage High School and other Manchester schools

• To recommend actions intended to eliminate or reduce racial harassment, racial violence and racism in schools.

This collection consists of archive material relating to the activities of the Macdonald Inquiry and supporting documentation. The archive contains papers recording the process of the Inquiry including guidelines and procedures, and details of witnesses and interview schedules.

Correspondence relates to the recording of statements and evidence and the publication of the Inquiry, including letters to individual witnesses and members of the Inquiry panel. Sources of information used for the Inquiry include papers relating to Burnage High School and other Manchester schools, and reports and recommendations from a number of organisations involved in education and race relations.

The collection also contains newspaper articles about the Inquiry and wider educational issues, and publicity relating to the Inquiry itself. A large proportion of the collection consists of witness statements and evidence taken from pupils, parents, teachers and individuals and groups involved in education and relate both to the death of Ahmed Iqbal Ullah and issues concerning multiculturalism and racism in Manchester schools.