Reverend and the Makers singer Jon McClure has set up a petition on the official website of the prime minister's office against the use of form 696 by the police.

The musician has taken action against the document because he claims it fosters racial discrimination.

Festival licensees are obliged to provide the authorities with information about performers such as names, addresses and aliases.

However, McClure is concerned about the fact event organisers must also give information on the likely ethnicity of audience members and the type of music to be played.

The petition states this constitutes a form of discrimination and could threaten future festivals.

"We believe this places unnecessary and frankly Orwellian powers in the hands of the Metropolitan police, an institution which does not have the best record of racial fairness," it says.

So far, more than 500 people have signed the petition.

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written by news desk on 03/12/2008 16:16:28
Photo : The Reverend has taken action