A TEENAGE girl was arrested after allegedly making racist remarks to Asian students.
Codie Stott, 14, was arrested after refusing to take part in a science tutorial with five students at Harrop Fold High School because she claimed they didn't speak English.
After questioning by police she was released without charge but the school say they are still investigating the matter internally.
Her furious mother Nicola, 37, of Grosvenor Drive, Walkden has defended her daughter's stance.
She said: "Codie was not being racist. All that happened was that she was in a science lesson and the teacher split them up into discussion groups."
"Codie asked to be taken out of her group because the other five students were Asians and four didn't speak English so there was no point in her being with them.
"When she pointed this out to the teacher she was accused of being racist and told to go to the isolation unit.
"As she left the classroom she was stopped by a teacher patrolling the corridor and repeated her remark. He then made a complaint to the headteacher and the matter was referred to the community police officer based at the school.
"Codie was taken to the police station and kept in custody for over six hours while they questioned her.
"The reaction from the school and police is totally over the top and I am furious my daughter had to go through this trauma when all she was saying was common sense. I hope it ends here because Codie doesn't want to go back through her ordeal at the police station."
Harrop Fold head Dr Antony Edkins said: "An allegation of a serious nature was made concerning a racially motivated remark by one student towards a group of Asian students new to the school and new to this country.
"We aim to ensure a caring and tolerant attitude towards people and pupils of all ethnic backgrounds, and will not stand for racism in any form."
A police spokesperson confirmed that they had questioned Codie with regard to a Section Five Racial Public Order offence and that she had been kept in a juvenile unit, not a police cell.
"The unit is not particularly threatening, it has picture windows and comfy furniture and she would have been checked on regularly by trained staff.
"She was definitely not locked up for over six hours."
Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Mr. Bowers, Canada (13/10/2006 at 02:56)
Chris Dalton, UK (13/10/2006 at 13:05)
Liam, Belfast (13/10/2006 at 13:45)
Kat, Manchester (13/10/2006 at 14:24)
Mr M.J.King, Plymouth (13/10/2006 at 14:53)
Andy, Manchester (13/10/2006 at 15:16)
This kind of nonsence must be put to an end once and for all, the British people as a whole are a very liberal and easy going lot, racists are a 'tiny minority' amongst us but its about time we stood up for our language culture and heritage in our country!
We have bent over backwards for new arrivals in this country, with differing faiths and cultures and they show no respect or appreciation for it. The tide of opinion is changing
Dianna, US (13/10/2006 at 19:37)
Even if this girl was racist- since when are people arrested for feelings and thoughts?
Congrats, Britain... you've traded your freedom for chains of forced acceptance and governed thought.
lizzard, Devon (13/10/2006 at 19:50)
Thor Taylor, Hastings (13/10/2006 at 21:57)
Why doesnt the Govt look out for us?!
How dare the police and headmaster do this unforgivable act to a child. Im ashamed of our leaders, they are letting the immigrants etc rule over us!
J, Ordsall (13/10/2006 at 22:13)
But she must have said something that isn't being reported on by the Advertiser for her to be questioned under the public order. Something that I hope as a kid she's just picked up from someone else and she doesn't fully understand the implications of.
Maybe she doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt thou.
Not enough is done about integration for new arrivals in this country.
And as for 'free speech' Mr Bowers, this right has to be balanced against the rights of everyone to live in peace and with tolerance etc. Don't blow it up into something it isn't. It's not like we're living in some Orweillian nightmare quite yet!.
D Clarke, Bournemouth (13/10/2006 at 22:49)
What is so wrong at saying she should not be in a group who could not speak english for a discussion or did the teacher want her to fail? Why are these children not segregated until fluent in english? This is all to the detriment of our children in the classroom who are inevitably being held back by situations such as these. I certainly would like to see the parent sue on behalf of her daughter. I am disgusted with the political correctness in the UK today.
Greg E., New York (14/10/2006 at 07:34)
Steve, Swinton (15/10/2006 at 19:52)
In this instance the teachers should hold responsibilty for a complete over (PC) reaction,they have caused this situation which in turn will cause resentment which will lead to us to an us and them situation.I beg the question,which incidentally I know the answer to, if the asian girl had said that she could not understand the english girls would that asian girl have been whisked down to the police station.Silly question really.
Shame on the teachers who have disgracefully overreacted and created sitution.One way racism which is eroding the rights of the majority in order to not upset the minorities...wake up these policies are creating what you are so desperate to avoid.
B. Bowen, Portland, Texas (15/10/2006 at 22:56)
Jade, Salford (16/10/2006 at 16:37)
Valerie Irala, Belgium (16/10/2006 at 17:30)
Atash, Seattle (17/10/2006 at 20:28)
The question is, "did the girl break any specific law that is actually written down?" Did she threaten their lives (assault) or something like that that we can understand as a real crime?
My guess is "no"; more likely she was arrested for breaking those unwritten laws about having politically-approved attitudes.
As someone who is mixed-race and whose half-Asian children are even more so, the wisdom of enforcing political attitudes with draconian policies is completely lost on me. This is called "fear" not "love" or even "respect".
Chris Harrach, Atlanta, Georgia USA (18/10/2006 at 14:16)
Kim, Boothstown (19/10/2006 at 16:27)
Kim xxx (A mother of 2 son's who I hope can voice there opinion if they need to)
John, California (20/10/2006 at 06:16)
(2) The Blair/Labour regime is a criminal, nation-wrecking entity. Blair should be tried and jailed and the Labour Party shoud be declared a criminal organization.
(3) "Anti-Racism" and Multiculturalism are demonically evil ideologies.
(4) I thank God every day I no longer live in Britain.
Graeme, Canterbury (20/10/2006 at 20:44)
Dinta, Iran (28/10/2006 at 00:56)
Lise Marie, USA (28/10/2006 at 15:55)
Thought crimes are instituted by scoundrels and cowards.
Where is the common sense?
Arresting this child is abuse and a total outrage.
I doubt very much if a group of English kids went to Burma or Pakistan or Malawi, that a local kid there would want to be in their group either.
Enough of the white guilt. No one else gives a rip about anyone but their own tribe, why do we need to not only bend over grovel in the dirt in gratitude that we are even able to exist?
Hang in there, Codie, you did nothing wrong!!!!
Alan Sutton, Lancashire (31/10/2006 at 12:38)
Natasha, Indiana USA (15/11/2006 at 09:53)
In the long run, the powers that be want a backlash, so that those who are different will have no place. One needn't to be gay to be persecuted for being gay. One merely needs to be perceived as gay. ---
The way out of this mess is simple and before you all. ---
Follow the golden rule. Treat others as you would like to be treated, if you were in their situation, and judge not lest you be judged. ---
The choice is yours to make. Stop playing the whining victim.