Council says word 'British' is upsetting

A council is warning staff not to use the word "British" in case it upsets people from Scotland, Wales, Ireland or Asia.

New guidelines for town hall workers state that "many Scots, Welsh and Irish resist being called British" and says people from ethnic minorities should be called "British Asians" or "Chinese British".

Officials at Caerphilly in South Wales are warned that "the idea of 'British' implies a false sense of unity".

A guide on the use of the phrases has been drawn up for more than 9,000 council staff after being compiled by a race equality group led by shamed former Cabinet Minister Ron Davies.

It warns against using the word British as well as offensive words such as "negro", "spastic" and "half-caste".