Two police officers accused of racially abusing a doorman at a Christmas party in Bath were today cleared by a jury

PC Peter Lawson and special constable Philip Upton were alleged to have sworn and hurled racist abuse at a doorman at the Hall and Woodhouse bar and restaurant.

The Wiltshire police officers who were attached to the road policing unit at Chippenham sat expressionless in the dock at they were found not guilty by a jury.

Mr Lawson, aged 38, of Anzio Road, Devizes, who denied one charge of racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence and Mr Upton, aged 29, of Suffolk Road, Westbury, who denied one charge of racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress, will now be the subject of an assessment by the Wiltshire Police Professional Standards Department to determine if their conduct was below standard.

In a statement read after the outcome of the trial, Superintendent Paul Mills, head of the Professional Standards Directorate at Wiltshire Police, said: "We are satisfied this incident was fully investigated by Avon and Somerset Police and we accept the court's verdict.

"Wiltshire Police Professional Standards Department will now internally review the outcome of the case and assess whether the officers' conduct has fallen below the standards of professional behaviour."

Jurors heard during the week-long trial at Bristol Crown Court how the officers had been drinking at the upmarket Hall and Woodhouse bar and restaurant in Old King Street, Bath, On December 10, 2010, when Italian Olive-skinned doorman Antonio Leo, was allegedly sworn at, called "foreign" and "Polish" and told to go back to his own country.

The court heard that the bar has a "zero tolerance policy" and the group of officers was asked to leave due to their allegedly "boisterous" behaviour.

Mr Lawson, a former RAF air dispatcher and a police officer of seven years, said he was drinking his fourth pint of the evening when he became aware of 39-year-old Mr Leo and the others getting up to leave before the doorman came over to him and asked him to go.

He claimed the doorman had leant over and grabbed his beer glass, pouring the contents over him.

"I said nothing to Mr Leo. I didn't manage to stand fully. I was bent over and the next thing I knew I was in a headlock," said Mr Lawson.

He said he was dragged outside quickly by Mr Leo and felt embarrassed and unfairly treated.

He said he had not been shouting or swearing when he then asked Mr Leo why he had been chucked out.

The officer denied using any racist language.

Also giving evidence, Mr Upton, said he had been invited to the traffic section Christmas do and had already been drinking in Bath before going to the Hall and Woodhouse bar.

He said he had been touching a pot plant there and was asked not to by the manager.

He said later Mr Leo came over and politely asked the group to leave so he got up.

When he was outside he said Lawson came out in a headlock "practically running" and it struck him that the doorman's behaviour would not be acceptable for a police officer.

Mr Upton said he told Mr Leo that he was "out of order".

He added: "I didn't use bad or racist language at all, nor did I hear any swearing or racism."

The former special constable said the racial element had been made up but conceded he had been a "bit cheeky."

A Wiltshire Police spokeswoman confirmed that Mr Upton had resigned from the Force and Mr Lawson had been on restricted duties following the allegations.

She added: "It was only right that the allegation was thoroughly investigated.

"We expect the highest standards of our police officers and staff. Police officers should behave in a professional and respectful manner at all times and it is never acceptable for officers to use racist language.

"Any inappropriate behaviour, whether on or off duty, will be investigated and appropriate action taken."