A ROMANIAN doctor who described her Asian colleagues at Basildon Hospital as “orangutans” has been suspended from practising medicine for six months.

The General Medical Council punished Dr Silvia Baciu, 43, after she made the racist comments while working at the hospital as a senior anaesthetist in May 2006.

Dr Baciu made a series of offensive comments after complaining to bosses at the hospital she had been discriminated against because she was a “white woman”.

In a dossier, where she detailed the allegations, she said: ‘It’s not my fault, in the heads of senior Asian colleagues, there’s no difference between an educated white woman and a donkey.

“It’s not my fault I was born in Europe and not south east Asia, like other trainees. It’s not my fault I’m white.

“I dare to suggest, some doctors are exempt from known immigration laws.

“The brainy Asian males of this department can’t place themselves before the law.

“The orangutan section of the department is ready for action and I assure you of their effectiveness.”

Baciu also said she feared there were so many Asian doctors “European science will disappear”.

However, the doctor insisted her comments were not racist.

Baciu, who lives in Northampton, said her ape remark referred to her colleagues’ “aggressive behaviour”.

Suspending her for six months, Mr Ralph Bergman, chair of the council hearing, said: “The period of suspension will enable you to reflect on your unacceptable conduct, to take steps to become more aware of the unacceptability of racial behaviour and to satisfy a future panel you have gained the necessary degree of insight.”

Mr Bergman added Dr Baciu’s decision not to give evidence herself was of concern.

He said while she had admitted inappropriate and offensive language she had denied racism, and the panel was not convinced she had insight into her behaviour.

As a result, it recommended she attend a training course in racial awareness, equality and diversity be-fore her case is reviewed later this year.