ETHNIC minority communities in Gwent should learn to speak Welsh, according to the new head of a racial council.

Dr Mashuq Ally (pictured) took over as director of the South East Wales Racial Equality Council (SEWREC) in December.

He took on the post after resigning as the head of The Commission for Racial Equality in Wales.

His resignation came as an internal inquiry into allegations against him was taking place. However, he claims the support he has received since has been "tremendous" and feels he has the credibility to succeed in his new role.

He said the ethnic minority communities and Welsh communities need to work together for racial harmony.

He added: "A contribution minority ethnic communities can make towards minimising racism is that they need to work closely with the variety of statutory agencies to secure racial harmony in and across Gwent.

"Ethnic minority communities need to be more forthcoming in building bridges with other communities, for example learning the Welsh and English language and in particular the Welsh culture, because racial harmony is a two-way process.

"I think the Welsh language and culture is an issue which needs to be better understood by minority ethnic communities and those who have come from England to live in Wales. "All communities need to work together to understand each other much more.

"I would like to see SEWREC play an important part as a broker between communities and also giving confidence to minority ethnic communities to be more open to the media and the public services and to look at solutions which not only affect them but also the wider society such as the drugs and gun culture."

Dr Ally aims through SEWREC to tackle social deprivation and under achievement in schools in all communities.