New police racism probe

Eight police officers are under investigation today after it was alleged that a racist joke was told during a golfing trip.

A member of the public claimed one of the Kent-based officers told the joke over a coach Tannoy as they were ferried back from a charity golf tournament in France.

A Kent police spokeswoman today denied it was a police officer who told the joke but said the force was investigating the officers' behaviour which was described as "inappropriate".

She said: "We can confirm that it was not a police officer who told the joke. It was a member of the public who was also on the trip.

"If any of our officers had used racist or offensive language, which they hadn't, then clearly we would take appropriate action against them. Police officers off duty or on duty are still police officers."

The officers, who are all based at Thanet, were among of a party of around 50 golfers who were returning from the tournament last Tuesday.

It was announced last week that the Commission for Racial Equality will hold a formal investigation into racist attitudes among police across the UK.

The inquiry, backed by Home Secretary David Blunkett, follows the screening of the BBC documentary The Secret Policeman, which saw a journalist go under cover to expose racism among police recruits.

Five resigned and three others were suspended after the programme was aired last month.