Tiscali UK has closed its news forum after receiving complaints from a "small number" of users concerning the posting of allegedly racist comments.

The ISP denies that pulling the plug was an over-reaction. It told The Register: "Tiscali has temporarily suspended its news forums whilst it investigates complaints about postings from a small number of users.

"These postings have been quarantined and are being examined so that we can decide if they should be moderated or deleted when the news forums resume."

Industry group the Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA) confirmed that it too had received complaints last week about some postings on Tiscali's forums and informed the ISP.

Tiscali is currently dealing with the matter but reckons its news forums should be re-opened within 48 hours. ®