UK equalities watchdog says 'Indians only' advert broke the law

London, Mar. 19 : Britain's Equalities and Human Rights Commission has said a job ad for a worker 'preferably of Indian origin' broke the law.

Computer firm Torry Harris, which has offices in Bristol and Bangalore in India, posted the advertisement for the 38,000-pound-a-year IT post on a website.

The company said it was looking for someone who "should be a UK citizen with security clearance from the UK Government. Preferably of Indian origin".

The ad sparked outrage and it was branded "racist". It has since been removed.

A constituent brought it to the attention of Monmouth MP David Davies, who referred it to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.

Yesterday, according to the Daily Express, the commission said it would be writing to both Mr Davies and Torry Harris.

A spokeswoman said: "It's totally illegal to specify a nationality in a job advert."