Jim,
No decent government would ever appoint anybody with such a cloud handing over him into such a senior position

And no government has, because there is no cloud.
He only used the word once, back in 2003, and no-one thought it wrong at the time.
In 2008. Livingstone dredged it up in a failed attempt to smear his rival for Mayor of London.
Boris was elected twice even though London was solidly Labour before and since.
NO-ONE BELIEVED HE WAS RACIST!

Your quote from Wiki is worthless.
There was much controversy about Powell's message, but none at all about his language. The "controversial" assertion is not supported.
Wiki noted, "This article needs additional citations for verification."

every sentient human being knows it is regarded as a racist insult and has been for a long time

Yes Jim, but only in USA.