Prince Harry's Use of the Term "Paki"

13 Jan 2009

Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott raised the use of Prince Harry’s use of the word “Paki” in Parliament yesterday (12/01/09). She emphasised to the Secretary of State for Defence that “very many people who originate from the Indian Subcontinent find that term deeply offensive”.

She said later “I accept that Prince Harry did not mean to be offensive. I know the incident took place three years ago. But that sort of language is completely inappropriate in any work place including the army. Even three years ago Prince Harry should have known better. People often try and excuse racial terms like “Paki” by saying it’s just a joke or the person that they are addressing isn’t upset by it. The truth is the term is not a joke. It is a generalised, abusive reference to people from the Indian Subcontinent very often people at the receiving end of this type of language are too intimidated to complain. Prince Harry should set an example.

I know the army has gone to a lot of trouble in recent years to encourage recruitment from Britain’s Black and ethnic minority communities. The tragedy of this sort of incident is that it gives the impression that racist language is commonplace in the army. This could well be off-putting for would be Asian recruits and their families.”

For Diane’s comments in the House of Commons see:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090112/debtext/90112-0003.htm

Ends

For more information please call Caitlin Farrow on

020 7219 4426 or email farrowc@parliament.uk  



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