This is defined as any of the following: colour, race, nationality, or ethnic or national origins (s 3(1)
of the RRA 1976). ‘Ethnic origins’ have been given a wider interpretation than
‘racial origins’ and, as a result, have brought more groups within the scope of the
RRA 1976, although there is still a problem for those groups who can be equated
with a religion rather than a race—these people may not be protected by the
legislation.
The test for establishing ‘ethnic origin’ can be found in Mandla v Dowell Lee
(1983), in which it was decided that Sikhs constituted an ethnic group. It was stated
by Lord Fraser that, in order for a group to constitute an ‘ethnic group’, it must be
regarded as a distinct community by virtue of certain characteristics, some of which
are essential