The lack of progress in appointing black and Asian people to the judiciary is “frustrating and paradoxical”, Justice Secretary Jack Straw said today.

Mr Straw told MPs that while more women and ethnic minorities were taking jobs in the legal profession, they were still struggling to become judges, despite the creation of the independent judicial appointments commission.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said it was “completely wrong” to look at people in terms of their race, religion or gender when considering them for jobs.

Mr Straw agreed but pointed out that candidates “may be put off from actually getting to the starting line for the more senior appointments”.