Sophie Corcoran, the Young People’s Director at the Great British PAC, has written a public letter to the Prime Minister and the heads of Britain’s intelligence services demanding an end to what she calls “state-sanctioned racial discrimination” after white working-class students were excluded from applying to a flagship government internship.
The controversy centres around the MI5, MI6 and GCHQ Summer Intelligence Internship, which for the third consecutive year has restricted applications to candidates from a “Black, Asian, mixed heritage or ethnic minority” background, combined with specific socio-economic criteria.
But white British students, even those from the most deprived backgrounds, are explicitly barred from applying, unless they belong to select “White Other” groups such as Romany Gypsies or Travellers. The policy is defended by government departments under the Equality Act 2010, using the concept of “positive action.”
Corcoran has now written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, and the Director of GCHQ Anne Keast-Butler, demanding the practice be ended and equality standards restored. The letter was also sent to the Equality and Human Rights Commission and relevant parliamentary committees.
“This isn’t diversity — it’s exclusion”
In a powerful statement accompanying the letter, Sophie Corcoran said:
“This isn’t equality. This isn’t fairness. This is the British state telling white working-class kids that no matter how talented they are, they’re the wrong race to serve their country. That is not just wrong… it is dangerous.”
“We support diversity. But if it means excluding an entire group of young people based on skin colour, we’ve lost the plot. Britain must do better than this.”
The Great British PAC is now considering legal avenues, questioning whether the current use of the Equality Act exceeds what the law permits.
“Is it time to challenge this in a court of law?” Corcoran added. “Maybe it is. The principle of equal opportunity underpins every part of a free society. If we allow these double standards to stand unchallenged, then what’s next?”
Rising Political Pressure
The backlash comes after Conservative MP Nick Timothy revealed that one of his constituents, a young white man, was barred from applying for the internship. He called the policy “an unacceptable act of discrimination” and described the Equality Act as the “problem.”
In response to Timothy’s formal question in Parliament, Labour MP Stephen Doughty defended the programme, stating it complies with the Equality Act 2010 and aims to “encourage those with protected characteristics.”
Critics, however, say the line between encouragement and exclusion has been crossed, and that it’s time for serious political and legal scrutiny.
What Happens Next?
The Great British PAC has requested formal responses from all relevant ministers and institutions and is consulting legal experts on the possibility of judicial review or a direct legal challenge under anti-discrimination laws.
Until then, Corcoran and Great British PAC say they will keep pushing — in Parliament, in the media, and in the courts if necessary.
READ SOPHIE’S LETTER IN FULL:
