Police officer given warning after asking Muslim colleague why he celebrates Christmas

A police officer accused of making discriminatory remarks to a Muslim colleague after asking him why he celebrated Christmas has been issued with a written warning.

PC Tracy Houldey appeared before a panel at Cleveland Police headquarters in Marton on Monday after allegedly making discriminatory comments to a fellow police officer on January 4.

The racist element of a police misconduct charge was dropped after witnesses said they didn’t believe it was racially motivated.

Sean Cook, chairman of the bench, told the hearing that Ms Houldey asked a colleague: “Why do you celebrate Christmas? You’re a Muslim“, after overhearing a conversation about Christmas.

She went on to say: “Sikh , Muslim, Hindu, I can’t tell the difference.”

The officer this was aimed at took offence and a heated argument ensued at the INT office in Middlesbrough police station.

PC Neil Harrison was called as a witness and said he tried to keep the argument “light-hearted” and that Houldey’s question was a “silly and naive comment to make”.

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