The CRE report reveals apparent bias against ethnic minority staff

It comes after figures showed the CRE's black staff were far less likely to be promoted within the organisation than white or Asian employees.

But Asian staff were by far the most likely to face disciplinary action, the race body's annual report showed.

The CRE says it is looking into whether any policy changes are needed.

The organisation's annual report showed that in 2003 black staff made up the largest racial grouping among its 191 employees.

Seventy eight were of black African or Caribbean descent compared to 73 white staff and 30 Asians. Nine staff were of mixed race and one was Chinese, the CRE's figures showed.

However, while Asian and white staff were promoted at nearly the same rate - 35% and 34% - only 24% of black staff who applied for promotion succeeded.

The report also showed black job applicants were only half as likely as Asian applicants to be recruited into the race watchdog.

But Asian staff were the most likely to face disciplinary action with five out of eight cases in 2003 being brought against people of Asian descent.