Rishi Sunak says racism must be confronted after Buckingham Palace aide controversy

Rishi Sunak says racism must be confronted after Buckingham Palace aide controversy

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday that the country had made progress in tackling racism but that it was "never done" and must still be confronted, following a controversy involving Prince William s godmother.

On Wednesday, a member of the British royal family s household left her role after making "unacceptable and deeply regrettable" comments about race and nationality to a woman at a grand reception at Buckingham Palace, a spokesperson said.

Ngozi Fulani, who was born in Britain and works for a domestic abuse support group, wrote on Twitter that the royal aide had repeatedly asked her: "What part of Africa are you from?" when she attended an event hosted by King Charles s wife Camilla, the queen consort, on Tuesday.

British media identified the royal aide as Lady Susan Hussey, the 83-year-old godmother of King Charles s son and heir Prince William.

Speaking to Sky News, Sunak declined to comment on the incident directly but said he had experienced racism growing up in Britain.

"The racism I experienced as a kid and a young person I don t think would happen today because our country s made incredible progress in tackling racism," he said.

"But the job is never done and that s why whenever we see it we must confront it and it s right that we continually learn the lessons and move to a better future."

William and his wife Kate are currently in Boston.