Metropol

Scotland immigration has come in large swathes since the 50s. Italian, Chinese, Pakistani and Polish latterly.

We used the phrase "paki shop" when I was young - in the same way we used "going for a chinky". The Scottish Government used these expressions in a campaign a couple of years ago to make people more aware that these phrases could be considered offensive.

And of course they can be, I'm sure. But I wouldn't be offended if one of my pals called me a "big poof" - as I'm sure this Pakistani lad wasn't offended by the Third in Line having a joke with him.

But its all about context.

It’s amazing that the comments columns of the on-line newspapers are littered with support for Harry over the ‘Paki’ comment on the basis that ‘he’s a good officer’, ‘he was only joking’, ‘the victim hasn’t complained’ or, best of all, ‘it was 3 years ago’.

MOD are stating that they only investigate cases when the recipient of the ‘alleged insult’ submits a complaint. That reminded me of the case in 2007 when MOD suspended some Instructors because their trainees were heard to shout “Paki” as they stabbed their bayonets into a stuffed dummy. I am fairly certain that the dummy didn’t register any complaint, so I can only wonder why they were treated so harshly, especially as they didn’t even utter the word themselves. Perhaps they didn’t issue an apology to the dummy within the requisite three year period or, more likely, they didn’t have the right parentage.

I think the current situation has got completely out of hand, but perhaps it’s served to highlight how ridiculous some of our anti-discrimination legislation has become. However, the rest of us have to live within this rather ‘orwellian’ culture which requires us to watch everything we say in the workplace, or indeed in any public place. Either that should be seen to apply even when your Granny happens to be the Head of State, or the state recognises the foolishness of the majority of the legislation and withdraws it for all citizens.

Has anyone mentioned how this video ended up in the hands of the News of the World?