AN invited audience will question the chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality.

Students, staff and members of York Racial Equality Network, along with people from academic institutions, will attend an hour-long forum at which Trevor Phillips will answer questions on a range of issues.

The event will take place in York University's Heslington Hall on Friday.

It will take place before Mr Phillips, who was the first black president of the National Union of Students and became a broadcaster and chairman of the London Assembly, receives an honorary doctorate.

University director of equal opportunities, Yvie Holder, said: "Trevor Phillips will, no doubt, have some interesting and challenging things to say about equality and diversity in our sector. We are very grateful to him for finding the time in his busy schedule for this event, which we anticipate will be stimulating and thought-provoking in equal measure."

* Mr Phillips, writer and broadcaster Lord Bragg, BBC director of news Helen Boaden and president of the Royal Society, Lord May of Oxford, will receive honorary degrees during the installation of Greg Dyke as university chancellor.