In 21st century Britain, an immigration judge is reported to have said this

Deputy District Judge Richard Terrence Peter Hollingworth, when told that Deepa Patel might not be able to make the sentencing of her ex-boyfriend for harassment at short notice, allegedly said:

It won't be a problem. She won't be working anywhere important where she can't get the time off. She'll only be working in a shop or an off-licence.

When asked to clarify his remarks by prosecutor Rachel Parker, he reportedly added:

With a name like Patel, and her ethnic background, she won't be working anywhere important.

The quotes attributed to the 63-year-old by the Sun on Sunday came as officials confirmed the judge had stepped down as a deputy district judge, and stepped back from immigration duties after four years in the post.

A spokesman for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said they could "confirm that Judge Richard Terrence Peter Hollingworth has resigned as a deputy district judge. Any finding of misconduct and recommendation of disciplinary action will be subsequently handled by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office".

It is understood that the complaint was triggered by Ms Parker, who said she was "professionally embarrassed" by the incident, said to have taken place on October 30.

Ms Patel, a 22-year-old law student, told the Sun on Sunday she found the judge's alleged comments "disgusting".

"I was born and bred in this country. I went through school, to college and then on to university to study law. It's shocking and disgusting for anyone to say that, especially a judge," she said.

"I'm more upset than angry, especially since I had already gone through so much by going to court. It's right that he's resigned but it's outrageous that he's still an immigration judge — he needs to resign altogether."

The defendant, Parvan Singh, 23, was later jailed for 30 weeks.

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