AN MP has called for lottery funds to be scrapped for an organisation which combats racism.

Billericay Tory MP John Baron claims the Essex Racial Equality is biased against Basildon Council over its dealings with travellers on illegal sites, including the one at Crays Hill.

Mr Baron has written to the Lotto recommending funding is withdrawn for the group.

The Echo can also reveal Basildon Council has sacked the equality council as its adviser on equality issues because of ongoing disagreements, including the traveller issue.

Council leader Malcolm Buckley said: "We have ended a service level agreement with the organisation. As a result, the equality council has now applied to us for grant funding and this will be considered on its merits."

He wrote after the racial equality council accused the council of creating on-going community tensions with its eviction plan.

Mr Baron said: "In order to pursue racial equality, a fair and balanced approach is essential."

He has written to the National Lottery recommending funding be withdrawn from the equality council.

He has also written to the equality council stating: "In my view, you have exhibited a bias which should not be funded by the public.

"The reason some travellers at Crays Hill face eviction is because they have contravened planning regulations and indicate they won't leave peacefully.

"Basildon Council is therefore right to pursue eviction if necessary, in order to ensure the law is enforced equally and fairly across the community.

"All we ask is that everyone who lives in our community abides by our regulations and law, otherwise we discriminate against those who do."

Clive Mardner, director of Essex Racial Equality Council, was unavailable for comment.

Rod Dwight, National Lottery spokesman, said: "We have no involvement in distributing funds and will forward this to the Big Lottery Fund, which is one of the distributors."