A man has twice been refused permission to speak at forthcoming coming public inquiry because civil servants said his comments could be considered offensive or racist.

Eric Sheppard, of Lower End, Piddington, near Bicester, wrote to the Planning Inspectorate to register to speak at the public inquiry into Government plans to build an asylum seekers' centre on Ministry of Defence-owned land between Piddington and Arncott.

He listed reasons why he objected to the centre.

So far, two letters have been returned by the inspectorate, along with an explanation that said his letter "contains statements which may reasonably be considered to be offensive or to be of a racist nature".

Those statements were underlined in red pen and Mr Sheppard was asked to resubmit his letter, omitting the comments.

The phrases underlined included: "They could be terrorists from countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan etc etc -- how do we know?"

Mr Sheppard also asked: "Why should these asylum seekers have all the benefits that we, as taxpayers, have worked hard for over the past years?"

Mr Sheppard said he had contacted the Bristol-based Planning Inspectorate and was told his letter, along with many others, was not within Government guidelines.

Mr Sheppard said: "It is stopping us saying what we want to say at the public inquiry.

"I don't think what I have said is racist. I just don't know what is technically correct to say.

"I'm on my third letter now. I only hope I've got it right."

He would like to hear from anyone else who has had a letter returned.

A spokesman for the office of John Prescott, Secretary of State for Local Government and the Regions, which is responsible for planning, said: "We're not trying to dictate what people say, or preventing people having access to consultation.

"We feel the letter contained a phrase or words that were unacceptable.

"They were returned as we do not feel that kind of language is acceptable at public inquiry."

Mr Sheppard can e-mailed at linda.sheppard2@virgin.net