09 August 2002
Deputy chair Beverley Bernard, a consultant in organisational and personal development and training, is to take charge in the interim, the Home Office announced.
Singh stood down after pleading guilty to using threatening behaviour in a fracas with police officers at Lord's cricket ground after the India-England final of the one-day series last month.
He was fined £500 and ordered to pay £55 costs by Bow Street magistrates in London, who branded his behaviour as 'disgraceful'.
After the hearing Singh, CRE chair since May 2000, said he had decided to step down 'in order that a line can be drawn under recent events'.
He added: 'I also believe this to be in the best interests of both the CRE and race relations in general.'
He is understood to have received a pay-off in the region of £100,000.
The court heard that Singh admitted swearing and waving his arms after colliding with a policeman on his way out of the ground after drinking seven glasses of wine.
Home Office minister Lord Filkin said: 'I am very sorry to see Gurbux Singh stand down. We both agree that this is the best way to draw a line under recent events. He has made an exceptional personal contribution to race equality in Britain.' He said Singh had brought 'a rational voice to the emotive subject of race relations'.
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