An eye-witness, who did not wish to be named, admitted the remarks were ‘inappropriate’, but had been made in a jocular manner.

And Hay said: ‘‘I have learned a very painful lesson from the experience.

‘‘I am not a racist and I’ve realised that in any environment now, even in the traditional jocularity of a rugby club dinner, there are boundaries which should not be crossed and I apologise profusely.

‘‘It has been a painful experience for myself and a bit embarrassing. I am apologising to everybody who was at the dinner.’’

The eye-witness said earlier: ‘‘At the time I thought it (Hay’s comment) was a bit close to the bone, but it wasn’t in the context of attacking a group of people.

‘‘I would be surprised if people made a massive issue of it.’’

Nevertheless, the row cast a shadow over the start of Scotland’s Lloyds TSB Six Nations campaign against England at Murrayfield today.

SRU chief executive Bill Watson said: ‘‘We have taken appropriate disciplinary action within our own procedures - racism is not tolerated and isn’t part of Scottish rugby.

‘‘I am convinced the employee is not a racist and has a long and proud history of introducing the game successfully to people of all backgrounds.

‘‘While I believe the remarks attributed to him at the dinner were not intended to cause any offence, they were clearly entirely inappropriate.

‘‘I have issued a reminder to all our staff that they must maintain the highest standards of behaviour and look to enhance our well deserved reputation for being a sport open to one and all regardless of creed, colour or background.’’