Payout for ex-TV host over arrest

Mr Page was accused of making racist and homophobic comments

A former TV host has won a £2,000 payout after he was wrongfully arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.

Robin Page, 64, from Barton, near Cambridge, was held for allegedly making a racist remark at a country fair in Gloucestershire in 2002.

Gloucestershire Police have agreed an out-of-court agreement with the former presenter of One Man And His Dog.

Mr Page said he had won a victory over political correctness, and it was worth the five-year fight to clear his name.

After obtaining documents relating to his case through the Data Protection Act, he was able to show the then Attorney General's opinion of the case was "no crime committed".

The documentation also revealed his name had been added to a "Homophobic Incidents Register".

Police email

An email relating to his request for a change of bail date because of a trip to Kenya showed one officer had written: "Let's hope he gets eaten by a crocodile".

Mr Page was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after a pro-hunting speech he made in Frampton-on-Severn.

He said supporters of the traditional country way of life "should be given the same rights as blacks, Muslims and gays".

Speaking after the news of his settlement, Mr Page said his comments had not caused any offence.

"This was victory over the ridiculous 'hate crime' culture that is currently doing so much to prevent free speech," he said.

A Gloucestershire Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that we have reached an out-of-court settlement with Mr Page in relation to this matter."

One Man and His Dog ended in 1999 after 23 years showing sheepdog trials.