A charity founder has stepped down from her leading role following a race row with Buckingham Palace.
It was initially claimed that Lady Susan Hussey asked Sistah Space founder Ngozi Fulani where she really came from during a reception hosted by the Queen Consort last year. Ms Fulani had a reconciliation meeting with Lady Susan and confirmed that she had no ill will toward the royal family member.
However, after appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain this morning, she said she felt that the reconciliation had not gone far enough and that she was unhappy with the latest apology from Buckingham Palace.
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Buckingham Palace issued an apology last night to Ms Fulani, it reads: "In the aftermath of the incident that took place at a reception last November, Buckingham Palace made clear that the comments made by Lady Susan were deeply regrettable. Lady Susan immediately expressed her sincere apologies and stepped aside from her honorary role.
"These apologies were reiterated in person at a meeting in December that was filled with warmth and understanding. At the conclusion of this meeting, a joint statement was issued and full agreement with Ms Fulani in which these apologies were accepted and it was recognised no malice had been intended by Lady Susan."
The statement also highlighted that a number of pledges were made by the Palace which has been honoured, including inclusivity programs. It also adds: "For the avoidance of any doubt we are deeply sorry for the incident that took place and apologise for the distress and difficulty it caused to Ms Fulani."
Ms Fulani knocked the apology, arguing that it was issued to the public and not to her personally, missing the point of an apology. Ms Fulani's daughter claimed that the agreements mentioned in the statement were not the ones that were set up in the reconciliation meeting.
Ms Fulani said: "If you have to ask somebody for an apology then it is not an apology. I'm just making a point so that everybody understands, I don't see what is so hard to say 'I'm sorry'.
"You sent me an invitation so you know how to find me, you know to say sorry. If you're sorry, say sorry.
"If not, I get it. But when you make this apology to everybody I don't know who you're apologising to." Ms Fulani also highlighted the occasion of International Women's Day and spoke of the 'violence' directed towards her and her charity as a result of the incident.
She also claimed that the Palace did not 'intervene' as much as it could have. She announced that she had stepped down from her role in the charity because the incident has halted the progress and accessibility of her charity.
She added that a lot of the charity's money was spent on PR to help deal with the press, limiting the ability of the charity to operate properly and serve the needs of the community.
Ms Fulani also highlighted that she didn't step down from her role due to the 'abuse' she received from the incident, but because it has caused a 'distraction' to the charity. It is not yet clear whether Ms Fulani's resignation will be temporary or permanent.
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