A GB News commentator is taking legal action against a charity that provides internships for black and minority ethnic individuals, arguing that its refusal to offer placements to white people constitutes racial discrimination.
Legal Challenge Initiated
Sophie Corcoran, who also serves as a commentator for GB News, applied to an internship programme operated jointly by the 10,000 Interns Foundation and the Bar Council. She expressed being "shocked to discover that the scheme is restricted to applicants of a particular racial background." The Guardian has learned that the charity received a formal legal letter outlining Corcoran's intent to sue, to which it responded on Wednesday. The lawsuit claims that Corcoran, as a white individual, has suffered a loss of employment opportunity and discrimination under the Equality Act.
Corcoran's Statement
Corcoran, who described herself as "exploring a legal career," applied for the £14.80-per-hour internship but was rejected. She stated: "This case is not simply about my own experience. I am pursuing it because I believe that no person in Britain should be denied opportunities because of the colour of their skin. I believe strongly that equality before the law must apply to everyone. Through this case, I hope to challenge practices that discriminate on racial grounds and to reinforce the principle that fairness and equal treatment should apply to all."
Political and Public Support
Corcoran's challenge has received backing from Restore Britain MP Rupert Lowe, who condemned the internship scheme as "vile, anti-white racism" and "racist filth." Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X, has previously supported Lowe and campaigned against diversity initiatives in the US, though he has not commented on this specific case.
Background of the Internship Scheme
The 10,000 Interns Foundation, established in 2020, placed its 10,000th intern last year. Its CEO is former international swimmer Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, the first black woman to represent Great Britain in swimming. The charity has placed paid interns with prestigious organisations such as the Royal Academy of Arts, Bloomberg, and HSBC, and the NHS is set to take 120 interns this summer.
Charity's Response
Ajulu-Bushell told the Guardian: "Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. That belief has guided our work from the beginning and remains unchanged. We are confident in the lawfulness of our approach. The aim of our programmes, training and mentoring is simple: to widen access, not limit it." She added that expanding opportunity and increasing representation is not only fair but fundamental to societal strength and long-term business success.
Legal and Industry Implications
The Bar Council has defended the scheme as "lawful positive action under sections 158 and 159 of the Equality Act based on evidence of under-representation in relation to access to the profession." However, concerns exist within the charity that this lawsuit could jeopardise its future, especially after right-wing campaigns last year led some organisations to withdraw support. Experts warn that similar copycat cases may emerge, potentially damaging diversity and inclusion initiatives across the UK.
Dr Shabna Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, commented: "Attacks of this nature risk creating a chilling effect. Even when claims lack strong legal grounding, their visibility can deter organisations from pursuing EDI initiatives for fear of reputational or legal consequences." She emphasised that well-implemented EDI policies improve productivity and financial returns.
Some organisations have already amended their positive action internship schemes to avoid legal action, such as removing ethnicity references from titles and limiting internship durations.
