THE BRITISH INQUISITION

Political correctness is no laughing matter.

A cartoon in a police magazine showed police officers climbing out of a van, taking off their shoes and tip-toeing to a mosque as a terrorist makes his escape from a side window clutching bags of explosives. But the joke was lost on Bedfordshire Chief Constable, Gillian Parker, who said:

‘I understand the importance of humour and recognise that the ability to laugh at ourselves helps us cope with the difficulties we often face.

The stereotypical portrayal of religious communities and the use of places of worship in a sacrilegious manner are bound to offend. Insensitive actions only serve to make our life more difficult. We have worked hard to achieve relationships and I feel that the portrayal of Muslims as terrorists has unnecessarily jeopardised this.

The subject could be seen as offensive, particularly due to heightened community tensions throughout the United Kingdom.

Where it is feasible, we continue to consider the individual customs of all communities when we enter their homes and places of worship. I make no apology for this.’

One doubts whether Mrs Parker would be making the same kind of comments if the cartoon had featured a Christian church.