A DUNFERMLINE councillor has called on local authorities to adopt a 'black curriculum' in an effort to combat racism.

Cllr Garry Haldane, who represents Dunfermline South, says it should be the priority of councils and the UK Government to ensure that black history is taught in our schools.

His calls are prompted following the rise of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement which has gained momentum across the world in connection with the death of George Floyd in the USA.

He said: "Something needs to change dramatically within British Government, as well as across the world, and one way of doing this is to include the whole truths ie slavery, and specifically black slavery and black history, in the teachings in our school lessons, within all societies.

"We cannot erase our past or how some of our previous historical persons have made their fortunes but we can re-address it in a way that highlights the fact that slaves were used to enable them to do what they did.

"I am calling for our UK Government and local authorities to adopt the black curriculum as soon as is practically possible."

The black curriculum is a movement which is trying to ensure black history is included in school lessons.

Cllr Haldane pointed towards a rise in far right groups in response to the 'Black Lives Matter' movement who he said were "determined" to confuse the issues.

"When someone uses the phrase, 'White lives matter', this phrase is directly linked to the far right," he said.

"Black Lives Matter is a group who are protesting for equality across the divides, black, white, Asian and all other shades across the globe.

"It is not a case of black verses white, it is everyone against all racism.

"I am also calling for all councils across Scotland to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-semitism which includes 11 examples of contemporary anti-semitism.

"All UK parties have already adopted the definition but by local councils doing the same, this can only reaffirm our commitment to eradicate these forms of racism.

"I do realise there are lots of other forms of racism but by including the black curriculum into schools and adopting the IHRA definition in Fife, it is a start to building a fairer, equal, non-racist society and when the definition of anti-Muslim is finally agreed we should be adopting that as well."

Fife Council did not comment on Cllr Haldane's call for the black curriculum.