A former equality chief has branded his years working to stamp out racial discrimination as 'utterly wrong ' . Writer and broadcaster Trevor Phillips said efforts made under the Blair government turned anti-racism into an 'ugly new doctrine ' . Mr Phillips is the former chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and has waged a 30-year campaign to tackle issues around discrimination and equality . In an upcoming Channel 4 documentary , called Things We Wo n't Say About Race That Are True , he says attempts to stop prejudice instead encouraged abuse and endangered lives as well as contributed to the rise of parties like Ukip . Trevor Phillips , who was the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission , said efforts made under the Blair government to end racial discrimination were 'wrong ' In the 75-minute documentary , he delves into Britain 's racial tensions and stereotypes as well as hostilities towards immigrants . He explains : 'It was my job to to make sure that different racial and religious groups got on . 'Campaigners like me seriously believed that if we could prevent people expressing prejudiced ideas then eventually they would stop thinking them . 'But now I 'm convinced we were utterly wrong . ' Mr Phillips , a Labour party member , says anti-racism began with good intentions but turned into 'thought control ' . He says the London 2005 bombing by British Muslims , forced him to do rethink his views . Now , he insists that only a willingness to talk more openly about race , despite risk of causing offence , will help those in need . Mr Phillips interviews Ukip leader Nigel Farage ( left ) and former prime minister Tony Blair ( right ) for the documentary , which airs March 19 . In the documentary , which airs on March 19 , Mr Phillips asks Nigel Farage whether attempts to embrace diversity have led to the rise of Ukip . He also also talks to Tony Blair about how the work begun by New Labour in support of diversity and equality can be revived . Former England footballer Les Ferdinand will also feature in the documentary to highlight racial issues in the sport . And former home secretary Jack Straw , who is also interviewed , tells Mr Phillips that many MPs are wary of expressing their views for fear of being branded racist . But Mr Phillips insists people should be free to use racial stereotypes , such as that many Jews are rich or that black people are more likely to be convicted for robbery , because they are true . Explaining the issue , he said : 'The dividing lines of race , religion and culture are probably the most dangerous flashpoints in Britain today , but they 're also the ones we find hardest to talk about in public . Former footballer Les Ferdinand , who is now Director of Football at Queens Park Rangers , will also feature on the programme , to discuss racial issues in the sport . 'This film points to ways in which we can say what 's on our minds without being accused of being bigots . ' Channel 4 head of specialist factual David Glover , who commissioned the documentary , said : 'This film contains some very uncomfortable facts about race . 'Trevor Phillips now strongly believes that it 's important to get them out there , so ultimately we can understand and tackle them . 'Trevor is arguably the best-qualified person in the country to examine these issues , ' he continued . 'What 's fascinating is that having thought so deeply about them , he now has a very different approach to the subject than he used to . '
Trevor ##hes was chairman of the Equality and Human Rights coalition . Branded his website ##acity pledge to end racial discrimination as ' wrong ' Anti - racism doctrine has encouraged abuse and endangered lives , he says .