SWNS Tim Cox slated Facebook after it banned him from using the word 'English' in his profile

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Electrician Tim Cox, 54, was given the nickname "English" at school and has been using it on his profile since he signed up to the site nine years ago. But it has now been removed by Facebook chiefs after a complaint from a fellow user. The site says the word "English" represents a violation of its policies on fake names, despite other profiles using the names of mass murderers like Peter Sutcliffe or Osama Bin Laden. Yesterday, many of Mr Cox's friends were busy changing their own profiles to add the word "English" in protest at the US-based web giant's decision.

Married father-of-two Mr Cox, of Mackworth, near Derby, said: "I'm not somebody who gets upset at things easily but I really did at this. "I got a message from Facebook saying somebody had asked them to review my profile because of my name. "Then the English part of my name was deleted. I was shocked. I've been called it all of my life.

SWNS Tim's nickname 'English' was removed by Facebook chiefs after a complaint from a fellow user

I'm not somebody who gets upset at things easily but I really did at this Tim Cox

"I'm proud to be English and always have been. It's a part of me. I think it's very strange and I cannot understand why anybody would take offence or think of reporting it to Facebook. "It's pathetic. I am known to friends for being a proud Englishman, just like millions of other people in this country, and there's nothing wrong with that." Mr Cox, who also has the word tattooed on his chest, added: "My name is 'English Tim Cox' on other social media accounts and they have no problem with it." Friend Sharon Winfield wrote: "I can't believe all the videos and pics of animal abuse I've reported that are OK, but 'English Tim Cox' is offensive!"

SWNS Facebook said the word 'English' represents a violation of its policies on fake names

SWNS Tim signed up to the site nine years ago