Sophie Corcoran, a GB News commentator, is taking legal action against the 10,000 Interns Foundation, a charity that provides internships for black and minority ethnic individuals, after her application to a scheme with the Bar Council was rejected. Corcoran claims she was 'shocked to discover that the scheme is restricted to applicants of a particular racial background' and argues that she has faced loss of employment opportunity due to her race.
The charity, which has placed over 10,000 interns since 2020, works with organisations such as the Royal Academy of Arts, Bloomberg, and HSBC. Its CEO, Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushnell, defended the scheme as lawful positive action under the Equality Act, stating: 'Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.' The Bar Council has also confirmed the scheme is legal, citing under-representation in the profession.
Corcoran's case is backed by Restore Britain MP Rupert Lowe, who described the internship programme as 'vile, anti-white racism'. Experts warn that such legal challenges could have a chilling effect on diversity and inclusion initiatives, with Dr Shabna Begum of the Runnymede Trust noting that even unsubstantiated claims can deter organisations from pursuing equity policies.
