Apology demanded after driver calls teenager a 'dirty little Arab'
A MIXED-RACE teenager was branded a "dirty little Arab" by a school bus driver, whose company later defended him saying the phrase was an "old Cornish saying".
The man, in his sixties, made the comment in front of other children after Newquay Tretherras pupil Alex Ruffon, 13, allegedly spat on the floor of the bus and picked his nose.
Now the youngster's stepfather, Matthew Walsh, is demanding a written apology over the incident, which took place on November 8 as Alex travelled home to Goonhavern.
Mr Walsh, who quickly complained to bus operator Hopley's, said: "They told me that Alex had been badly behaved on the bus, spitting on the floor and picking his nose. She [a spokeswoman] remarked that the driver's comment was not racist but an old Cornish saying, but there's nothing Cornish about it."
Reinstated
An outraged Mr Walsh then contacted Cornwall Council and lodged a complaint with the police.
A Hopley's spokeswoman said the driver made the comment but that no racism had been intended. He had resigned after the incident but was reinstated and was back driving the same route, she added.
Following an investigation, Cornwall Council wrote to Mr Walsh saying the driver had admitted using the phrase "dirty little Arab".
The letter said reports showed the driver had used it in the past to others, regardless of ethnicity, and was apparently ignorant of its racist connotations.
In a statement to the Cornish Guardian, a council spokesman added: "It was entirely inappropriate for the driver to use such language, both the driver and operator have received a formal warning and been instructed that use of such language will not be tolerated in the future."
Mr Walsh said the spitting allegation was unfounded and he would have expected the company to have contacted him over such "appalling" behaviour. His son admitted picking his nose, he said. "All I wanted was an apology from the driver," added Mr Walsh.
The driver could be prosecuted for an alleged racially aggravated public order offence.
45 Comments
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by SpiteK
Wednesday, November 30 2011, 4:49PM
“"Dirty little arab" has been around for years, not only in Cornwall. I used to hear it as a kid in the Midlands over 40 years ago. Nothing racist about it, unless you're a charity mouthpiece looking for some publicity.”
by Key Wear
Wednesday, November 23 2011, 12:28AM
“I have read the comments with much interest. Why is it assummed that the alleged comment made by the driver is racist in nature. One can only assume these commentors are not cornish!
The driver being in his 60's would use this saying as commonly as any cornish person saying dreckly, and would have had no thought"oh this is a racist comment and I will use it for full effect"
Unfortunately there are too many busy bodies out there who feel that our country must be PC For heaven sakes there are more pressing issues in our lives than the alleged comments of this man.
As for the comments about the driver being sacked would this be asked for if he was coloured?”
by josdave
Tuesday, November 22 2011, 3:51PM
“Jenniii I suspect you have never driven a school bus because there is a limit to how much any person can take and the behaviour of some schoolchildren really pushes the drivers to the limit. He was not being unprofessional or rude he had been pushed too far and the fault lies fairly and squarely with the unacceptable disgusting behaviour of that child.”
by kimmyp
Tuesday, November 22 2011, 3:49PM
“Those of you who seem to want to have the driver hung drawn and quatered i assume the same ferocity of punishment would be delivered to this boy who not for the first time behaved badly. I wonder how the story would have read had there been a terrible accident caused by the driver being destracted by things been thrown around and kids jumping up and down and generally behaving badly.
My kids have never been allowed to play up when they are in the back of my car because it is destracting and down right dangerous and there was no difference when they were using the school bus. Our experience was that some kids and parents behaviour was extremely bad and incredibly rude. This is another facility payed for by the taxpaying community which some feel is their absolute right, it is not and as a parent you are legally obliged to send your kids to school and your responsibility to get them there.
What would these parents do if the driver were to resign and they could not get anyone to fill the post, maybe if this were to happen they might appreciate what a difficult and demanding job this is.
Typical really lets persecute the drivers,teachers and police and then wonder why many young people have no respect for authority.”
by SKoM_
Tuesday, November 22 2011, 3:23PM
“The etymology of terms that are now perceived as racist is hardly the point, though I agree otherwise, some of the worst racism in the UK is between 'ethnic minorities'
I have also been the subject of racial abuse and threats - and being of Northern European descent, you can guess my skin tone.”