The president of the College was recently reported (BMA News, 28 September 2002) to have expressed the opinion that there is an element of institutional racism in (presumably British) psychiatry. He gave as evidence of this: ‘You are six times as likely to be sectioned [sic] under the 1983 Mental Health Act if you are black, young and male.’

No doubt some psychiatrists hold racist attitudes, as do many other people. However, the president's suggestion that psychiatrists in this country allow any racial views they may privately hold to influence their professional practice is unjustified and offensive. His view that the fact, if it be one, that young black males are admitted to hospital under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 more frequently than are others, is evidence of improper practice, based on racial attitudes, is self-evidently absurd. That the president of a medical royal college should hold such an opinion must be a matter for concern.

I would suggest that a retraction of the reported remarks, accompanied by an apology on the part of the president to the College membership, would be appropriate.