Like many people across the country, we shared your disappointment that the England team was unable to clear the final hurdle and win Euro 2020 during yesterday’s historic final. For those who supported Italy we want to extend our congratulations to you and hope you get to enjoy your team’s win.

Over the past four weeks, we have seen a collective drawing of breaths, shredded nerves and a feeling that it might finally be coming home. This has galvanised our nation at a time when we needed it the most. We have seen a team that exemplifies the values we want to see at the heart of our nation. As a team they have shown us what diversity, tolerance, looking out for our most vulnerable and working towards our collective good can do.

That is why we want to come together and condemn – in the strongest terms – the vile abuse that has been levelled at our players and in particular those from our ethnically diverse communities. We are absolutely committed and resolute in our view and our actions that we must root out racism in all walks of life. We are united and unshakeable in this belief and we will not stop until every single person feels they can bring their whole selves to where they live, where they work and where they socialise.

As leaders of the integrated health and care partnership, we stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone who has experienced any discriminatory abuse and behaviour which has no place in our society. We are proud to be joining the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership anti-racism movement. The abuse we have all seen since last night shows that while we have made progress in many areas, we still have a duty to challenge ourselves and those around us so that we have a truly tolerant society and that Bradford District and Craven is seen as place for all.

We won’t accept this, no one should. Join us in calling out unacceptable and discriminatory behaviour.

On behalf of the Integrated Care Partnership Board for Bradford District and Craven

  • Helen Hirst, Accountable Officer, NHS Bradford District and Craven NHS CCG
  • Kersten England CBE, Chief Executive, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
  • Professor Brendan Brown, Chief Executive, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
  • Therese Patten, Chief Executive, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
  • Professor Mel Pickup, Chief Executive, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Kim Shutler, Chair of the Bradford District Assembly, representing the voluntary and community sector
  • Louise Bestwick, Chief Executive of the Bradford Care Association, representing independent care sector providers
  • Iain Macbeath, Strategic Director of Health and Wellbeing, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
  • Dr Richard Haddad, Chair of Clinical Advisory Board (CAB)
  • Dr James Thomas, Chair of the Clinical Forum