'Text for a gag' service's racist joke angers Muslim student

London, Nov 27 : A Muslim student was stunned when he received a racist joke about Asians by the 118 118-phone service.

Kameron Abbas, a student at Preston's University of Central Lancashire, had used the company's new joke text service after seeing it advertised on TV.

Kameron, who's family live in Pakistan, had borrowed the mobile phone of a pal to try out a new 60p-a-time gag line.

However, he was outraged to be sent back the message: "What's the difference between ET and an Asian? ET got the message and went home."

He and fellow student Imran, both 21, are now considering legal action against the service.

"My friend and I texted 118 118 after seeing their advert on TV," the Sun quoted him, as saying.

"We did it for a laugh as we were bored and wanted to see what jokes they had.

"I was horrified at what we received and couldn't believe that 118 118 would send anything like what they did. These sorts of jokes are not funny at all. They are promoting racism.

"I texted them asking why they send racist jokes but they replied claiming they don't send any of that kind. I'm going to seek legal advice about this. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it," he added.

A spokesman for 118 118 said: "We are investigating. This is a breach of our standards. We don't do jokes like that. This is a disciplinary issue and we would like to apologise. "He should not have received it."

The 118 118 brand is operated by The Number from three call centres based in Cardiff, Plymouth and Manila in the Philippines.

ANI