Sophie Corcoran, a GB News commentator, is taking legal action against the 10,000 Interns Foundation, a charity that organizes internships for black and minority ethnic individuals, because it does not offer schemes for white people. Corcoran applied to a program run by the foundation in partnership with the Bar Council but was rejected. She stated she was 'shocked to discover that the scheme is restricted to applicants of a particular racial background.'
Legal Challenge and Response
The Guardian understands that the internship charity received a legal letter outlining Corcoran's intent to sue and responded on Wednesday. The lawsuit claims that Corcoran faced a loss of employment opportunity due to her race and alleges discrimination under the Equality Act. Corcoran, who said she was 'exploring a legal career,' applied for the £14.80-per-hour internship scheme but was turned away.
Corcoran 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 been backed by Restore Britain MP Rupert Lowe, who described the internship scheme as 'vile, anti-white racism' and 'racist filth.' Elon Musk, owner of X, has long campaigned against diversity and inclusion initiatives in the US and has supported Lowe in the past, though he has not commented on this specific case.
Similar Cases and Industry Impact
The American Bar Association faced a similar lawsuit over internships for candidates from 'ethnic minority' or 'underrepresented racial' groups and subsequently revised its schemes to require applicants to show 'a strong commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.' Companies in the UK now anticipate that copycat cases could emerge.
The 10,000 Interns Foundation, founded in 2020, placed its 10,000th intern last year. Its CEO is Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, a former international swimmer and the first black woman to swim for Great Britain. The foundation has placed paid interns with prestigious organizations such as the Royal Academy of Arts, Bloomberg, and HSBC. The NHS is taking 120 interns from the charity this summer.
Foundation's Stance
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. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as an organisation in five short years, the lives we have changed and the workplaces that are thriving as a result. We believe that expanding opportunity, increasing representation, and enabling a broader range of talent to flourish is not only fair, but fundamental to the strength of our society and the long-term success of British businesses.'
The Bar Council has stated that the scheme constitutes '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.'
Concerns About the Future
There is concern within the charity that this lawsuit could jeopardize its future. After right-wing campaigns last year, some organizations withdrew their support for the internship scheme. Experts warn that this legal case could cause wider damage to diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Dr. Shabna Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, a research organization challenging structural racism, said: 'Attacks of this nature risk creating a chilling effect. Even when claims lack strong legal grounding, their visibility can deter organisations from pursuing EDI [equity, diversity and inclusion] initiatives for fear of reputational or legal consequences. And it is not just the individuals who lose out on internships that suffer. There is considerable evidence that EDI policies, when implemented thoughtfully and systemically, actually improve productivity, performance and financial returns for the organisations that undertake them.'
Other organizations have told the Guardian they have amended their positive action internship schemes to avoid legal action by removing mention of ethnicity from titles and limiting internship lengths. Corcoran has been contacted for comment.
