Veteran BBC Radio Devon presenter, David Lowe was sacked recently for playing a track from 1932 which included in its lyrics the word Nigger. The Sun has got its hat on had the word removed from later versions of the popular song. Mr Lowe, 68 a presenter with the station for 14 years, apologised and said he had no idea the offensive lyrics appeared on that version of the song, but was dismissed.

In contrast, Top Gear present Jeremy Clarkson caused outrage when a pre-recorded show that he asked not to be aired, appeared to include the same offensive word. The clip showed Clarkson repeating the children’s rhyme eeny meanie minie moe. The presented covered his mouth and mumbled a barely audible n-word. Clarkson apologised publicly and was punished with an alleged £12million, three year contract.

Both stories were widely reported in most news-papers and on TV. Almost all of the reports included the phrase N-word but none of the reports used the actual word.

Were they right to not use the word Nigger because its racial implications are so vile and full of hatred that it is deeply offensive and should never be read or heard, or is political correctness gone mad?

There certainly seems to be a belief among some that having an opinion that could be considered by some offensive is absolutely outlawed. While talking to my elderly neighbour recently, she commented on a “coloured” child, and added innocently “that’s been polite, isn’t it- they don’t like being called black these days do they”.  Another neighbour of mine, who lives with and has children with a black Jamaican man was also there and laughed at the confusion the old lady.

We politely corrected her and she went on to ask why then are we not allowed to say black board in schools.

The conversation, which could have come from a 1970’s sit com, was a good example of people being so confused in their fear of offending it hard to know for sure whether one is actually racist or meaning to cause offence or simply ignorant or misinformed. I often hear people at work saying “you can’t say that”.

One could argue also that the English language evolves so much that many once grossly offensive words and phrases are now used as something completely different. Where young people use words like sick and bad when they mean good, is also the case that they use insults as terms of endearment. Sadly I suspect this; to a degree is the case.

A report by channel 4 today revealed that a third of British people consider themselves to either very or a little prejudiced against people from other races.

The Nation centre of social research (NatCen) said that 30% of over 2000 people revealed the disturbing statistic heralded a return to previous levels before an all-time low in 2001 of 25%. NatCen said that racial prejudice has been steadily increasing since the start of the decade.

While the headline of the survey says we are getting less tolerant as a society, the statistics actual show just 3% considered themselves very racist with 27% describing themselves as slightly racist. This from a group of little more than 2000 people, it is impossible to know whether this is representative of the whole of Britain or even what ethnic background the people who answered the survey were from.

Is there a rise or have people just got so entangled in the political correctness web that they are now pre trained to hide any prejudice they may feel. I suspect even the 3% who said they were very racist, would not have readily admitted this if they were to be named or filmed. Anonymity allows ignorance and intolerance to fester and spread underground like proverbial mushrooms.

The tide though seems to be changing, with many people growing frustrated and angry at the lack of debate and lack of representation from political parties. UKIP’s surge in popularity is largely down to angry people seeing angry politicians openly saying they are angry at the number of foreigners flooding our country, steeling our houses and taking our jobs. Of course many of these accusations are absolute nonsense, but because the political elite have been scared to discuss immigration for years, these believers, like my neighbour, are misinformed. The reluctance of Labour to engage in the debate is harmful because the perceived successes of UKIP in areas such as Rotherham and Sunderland opens the door to even more dangerous and extremist groups like the EDL or  BNP. The mainstream parties must put the facts out there for people to make an informed decision before people make a misinformed one and plunge this country into self-destruction.

Unfortunately, Islamaphobia is not uncommon in our country and there are people who are “openly” racist. I use the term openly loosely of course because usually it done with cowardice, hidden behind a shield of anonymity on social networking sites such as Facebook and twitter. Last night I saw some appalling comments aimed at ex-footballer Stan Colleymore, with one tweet saying I will bring up my children to hate blacks you black c@#t. I seriously doubt that the author of those comments would have the bottle to say such things without the armour of twitter to protect him or to Mr Collymore’s face. I do not think however that the moron who wrote the comments should be kept underground and censored. I’m not sufficiently educated to know the origins of the quote but I believe a French politician has been attributed as saying “I absolutely disagree with your opinion but will defend to the death your right to voice it” or words to that effect.

Politicians should not scare monger or downright lie about the consequences of staying in the European Union. They should all engage in the debate and all should agree to a referendum on Europe. Let the people decide in a vote and put the argument to bed once and for all, then we can set about educating the ignorant and the hate filled. What is certain is that while ever the racists, the bigots, the sexists and the homophobes are not allowed to voice their opinions, we cannot begin to confront them and change their beliefs.