The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was praised for its ?steady progress? in promoting work-force diversity in a report published last week.

A CPS Inspectorate report on the service?s employment practices found ?commitment to change and strength of leadership? in the organisation ? but warned that a ?small minority do not see the importance? of the diversity agenda.

The report noted that the percentage of women Chief Crown Prosecutors had risen from 18% in 2003 to 26% in 2005, while the percentage from ethnic minorities had grown from 8% to 13%.

It also acknowledged that the CPS was the only criminal justice organisation to publish a comprehensive annual employment equality review, and that ?clear standards of behaviour? had been established, with more staff feeling they were treated with ?fairness and respect?.

However, the report found that more work was needed to ensure that operational management and staff were committed to the policies in place. It also warned that the agency?s arrangements for managing flexible working needed ?urgent attention?.

Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald QC said the CPS had ?one of the most diverse workforces in Whitehall, at all levels?.