Pig `ban' is political correctness gone mad

From the archive, first published Friday 7th Oct 2005.

A REQUEST to have novelty toy pigs removed from council office desks is nothing short of `political correctness gone mad' according to one fuming councillor.

Liberal Democrat cllr Rebirtha Hart Bowman has been outraged by the suggestion staff should put pig products out of sight in case they offend Muslim staff.

The outburst comes after one council worker claims to have been offended by a pig-shaped stress reliever received by the authority and requested bosses should hide it away.

The St James' ward councillor said: "This is political correctness gone mad and it's impinging on people's civil liberties.

"It really does worry me because this sort of thing creates racial tension and this must come to an end.

"I can understand the employee's concern but for me common sense should prevail.

"People should be free to exercise their individual human rights."

The council has since scotched claims items have been banned but did stress the importance of being sensitive to colleagues' beliefs.

A spokesman said: "There isn't a council policy to remove pigs or pig-related objects from desks.

"However we are sensitive to individuals and if people have been offended we hope, and indeed would encourage, colleagues to take their views on board."

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