RACE rows over Celebrity Big Brother are down to a failure of immigration policy, according to one district councillor.

Cllr Linda Vijeh, South Somerset District councillor for Neroche, thinks that the controversy surrounding the alleged racist behaviour, can be put down to a Government failure to encourage integration.

She said: "While racism is indeed abhorrent I believe we are missing the point entirely.

"I firmly believe that the reason for this continued antipathy towards immigrants, whether because of race, creed or colour, is as a direct result of the failed immigration policies of successive governments over several decades."

Cllr Vijeh added: "It would seem we do everything at an official level to prevent newcomers adapting at the earliest opportunity-hence a large degree, to my mind, of an understandable resentment among our native citizens.

"It is not easy to learn to love your neighbour when on the surface at least you have nothing in common with and are unable to communicate even at a basic level."

The alleged racist behaviour of Jade Goody came to a head on Friday, January 19, as the reality TV star was voted off the controversial show.

During her time on Celebrity Big Brother, Jade Goody caused wide-spread debate, attracting around 40,000 complaints and international news coverage for her apparent racist bullying of Indian actress, Shilpa Shetty.

Kazi Mamnun, of Chard, who works at Ghandi Tandoori in Fore Street said he felt Jade's words were more out of anger, than racially motivated.

He said: "Sometimes people lost their tempers in the house, and after they realised what they had done, they were sorry.

"When people get angry they don't necessarily mean what they say or know what they are saying.

"I have seen interviews with Jade since she has been evicted, and she seemed very upset.

"I think she is really sorry for the offence she caused, and I don't think she really meant to hurt anyone."

Since leaving the Celebrity Big Brother House, Jade said in a post eviction interview: "I can't dignify myself because that video footage of myself is nasty. I'm not going to sit here and try and justify myself.

"Yes, I said those things and they were nasty. I am not a racist and I sincerely ... apologize to anybody I've offended out there."

To have your say on the alleged racist bullying, leave your comment below.