• THE racism on display against football players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka is as heartbreaking as sobering.

Racism on various levels is deeply rooted in society, in spite of protestations to the contrary.

Politicians and their political parties are yet to show that they truly oppose racism of all kinds.

Home secretary Priti Patel criticised footballers for taking the knee and affirming their stand against racism.

Patel’s comment inevitably fuels racists, even if she claims to be disgusted by the abuse which she herself helped to flame.

And what about taking strong action against those who abuse people of colour? I have heard of no specific action either from Patel or Boris Johnson (although, apparently, the Metropolitan Police Service is investigating).

On the other hand, Priti Patel demonstrated full force (in front of TV cameras) when she called on the police and asserted strong measures against the perpetrators of the alleged anti-Semitic incident during a demonstration on May 16 2021.

I have not heard unequivocal condemnation of racism against people of colour from Sir Keir Starmer. He was criticising Johnson for not criticising the crowd who booed while the England team took the knee.

This is surely “have your cake and eat it” policy, not a strong public stand against racism (of all kinds).

We have to stand firmly by people of colour (and all minorities); we need to create an equal society for all… in practice not in sound bites.

DR AGNES KORY, NW3