Judge Henry Pownall said: "Too much political correctness destroys rather than promotes good relations of all sorts."

The 72-year-old judge made his remarks as he retired after a 45-year legal career - and two days after the Lord Chancellor launched a revised guide for judges on how to avoid any perception of racial bias and insensitivity.

Lord Irvine has issued a guide on how to avoid racial bias

Lord Irvine claimed then the book was "not about political correctness, preaching or moralising" but was intended to inform and assist judges.

Judge Pownall, a popular and respected figure both as a barrister and later on the bench, received many tributes from colleagues at a ceremony to mark his retirement held in a packed Court One.

But he told them: "I find it sad, even disturbing, that political correctness in all its horrid forms is creeping into all our everyday lives."

He said there were those who would find prejudice round every corner, whether it existed or was intended or not.

"It is time someone says there is none of it here in this building, in any of us."

The Lord Chancellor had disclosed that five judges had been reprimanded for making unacceptable racial comments since the Government came to power in May 1987.

One of the cases referred to anonymously was that of an Old Bailey judge, who allegedly made an offensive joke at a legal dinner earlier this year.

'Special responsibility'

Lord Irvine said judges exercised "huge power" and had a "special responsibility to ensure that there can be no possible reason to think us prejudiced".

Judge Pownall said he found it sad, "even offensive, being bombarded by bumph from on high, telling me I must disclose any personal interest I may have or might have, which might be seen to have some effect in my judgement - as if I had not conformed since pupilage".

Judge Pownall was made a circuit judge in 1984 after a career at the Bar both prosecuting and defending.

He went to sit at the Old Bailey in 1988. Educated at Rugby and Cambridge, he served in the Navy between 1945 and 1948. He was made a QC in 1979.