be a politician with the courage of his convictions, taking the most challenging and repeatedly sidelined issue of black deaths in custody to the heart of power.

He has made it known to the political classes that this is an issue which is firmly at the top of black Briton's agenda.

Norman Lamb MP, Minister of State for Care & Support, from accepting to be the keynote speaker at first ever national conference on Policing, Mental Health & black Briton organised by ACCI & BMH UK in June, to chairing a ministerial round table on mental health and Briton's African Caribbean communities, this senior politician has been true to his word and kept his door and more importantly ears open to concerns and many injustices faced by black people whocome in contact with mental health services.

Through BMH UK Minister Norman Lamb has made time to meet and listen to bereaved relatives of those detained under the Mental Health Act and community leaders committed to serving this group.

BMH UK hopes that his planned reforms for crisis care and restraint quickly become a reality for those who are forced to use these services.

Andrew Mitchell MP, former chief whip, with firsthand experience of falling victim to the worst aspects of policing, not unlike many of the service users from the UK's African Caribbean communities, Mitchell has given his time to support the work of BMH UK in 2013. Behind the scenes he has opened doors to those at the heart of power that others have actively worked to keep shut,