fellow

Caroline Thomson, a fellow board member sitting next to Shah, said he had the unanimous support of the board.

Asked whether he had perhaps said things to fellow pupils that he had not intended to be hurtful or racist, but they took it that way, he said: "I hope not."

"It's also deeply offensive to fellow board members who are people of great standing in different fields," he added.

While still on the move, he then uncorked a heave that hit fellow rookie Isaiah Bond in stride for a 52-yard gain.

"Both the US and Taiwan are paranoid and jumpy about Palau switching," said Graeme Smith, a senior fellow at the Australian National University.