People in Northern Ireland have a lower level of protection against racial discrimination than people in other parts of the UK, according to a major Council of Europe body.

In its latest report, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) called on the Northern Ireland Assembly to introduce “a single, comprehensive equality act” inspired by the Equality Act 2010, which only applies to Great Britain.

The report identifies “significant gaps between equality law in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland”.

It states: “For example, the current race equality legislation in Northern Ireland provides for a ‘two tier’ level of protection, with less protection against discrimination on grounds of colour and nationality than on grounds of race, ethnic or national origins.

“There is also only a limited range of special measures aimed at alleviating disadvantage (‘positive action’) which employers, service providers and public bodies are allowed to take.”

Christian Ahlund, chair of the ECRI, said legislative reform was more urgent in the wake of the Brexit vote.

He said: “It is no coincidence that racist violence is on the rise in the UK at the same time as we see worrying examples of intolerance and hate speech in the newspapers, online and even among politicians.

“The Brexit referendum seems to have led to a further rise in ‘anti-foreigner’ sentiment, making it even more important that the British authorities take the steps outlined in our report as a matter of priority.”