The mother of a policeman forced to resign from the West Yorkshire Police for racially insulting an Asian officer today denied he was a bigot.

The Telegraph & Argus exclusively revealed how former Shipley community constable PC Rick Pentith had admitted making the remark "wog" about a fellow PC during a row about work rotas.

He was "required to resign'' from the force at a disciplinary hearing after a panel, made up of an Assistant Chief Constable and two Chief Superintendents, reached a decision on a majority verdict. It is thought to be the first case of its kind in the country.

But Mr Pentith's mother, Judith Pentith, said her 33-year-old son, who is married and has three children, was devastated by the outcome of the hearing.

"He's just been sacrificed for political correctness. He's been made a scapegoat," she said.

"I think the whole thing's been blown up out of all proportion.

"His criticism wasn't against the person concerned but the person who organised the rotas. It's got to the stage where we haven't even got freedom of speech in this country.

"All he's done is made a comment about an Asian colleague getting a more favourable rota.

"He's got so many coloured and Asian friends that are absolutely aghast at what's happened to him.''

The policeman whose complaint sparked the force's inquiry into Mr Pentith's remark was also said to be surprised by the outcome.

A police colleague, who did not want to be named, said: "I've spoken to the officer who complained and his general feeling is that it's been taken far too far.

"He said he thought something needed doing about what was said but he didn't expect it to cost an officer his job.

"What he said was out of line but it was a throwaway comment and I don't think the punishment is fitting."

Following the hearing Mr Pentith lodged an appeal which is to be heard by another panel, including Chief Constable Graham Moore.

He has said he could not comment on the case due to his pending appeal.

A statement issued by West Yorkshire Police following the disciplinary panel's decision said its stance on racism had been stated "unambiguously and publicly''.

The statement said: "It is actually encouraging that we appear to be moving closer to an environment where such words and behaviour are recognised as unacceptable so that appropriate action can be taken.''

Mrs Pentith said she did not know what her son would do if his appeal was turned down, adding: "He's under stress and is totally up in the air. He just can't believe what's happened.

"He's been in the force for 12 years - he wanted to join the police right from being a young lad and it's his life.''

Mr Pentith was accompanied to the disciplinary hearing by an Asian friend, science teacher Sanjiv Nandi, who appeared as a character witness on his behalf.

Mr Nandi, 49, of Uttoxeter, Staffs, who was born in India, said: "I think he's been sold down the river and martyred to make the police look good in the eyes of political correctness.

"I abhor racism from wherever it comes but Rick is not a racist. He has lots of friends from all races and cultures and is held in high esteem by all of them.

"He's a family man with high moral standards and in the seven years I've known him I've never known him to swear - the worst I've heard him say is 'chuffing hell'."

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