I was under the impression that “Asian” has always meant people of Middle Eastern origins to the folks in the UK ... not necessarily being PC. ??
Asian in Britain means either ‘South Asian’ which is Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis or Goans. OR ‘Asian’ on its own means what would also be called oriental races ie Japanese, Chinese, Thais etc.
Middle Eastern in Britain means simply that: those who live in Iraq, Jordan, Iran etc. Including Egypt.
Moroccans, Tunisians etc are ‘North African’.
Some races like Afghans, Nepalese, Bhutanese are simply referred to as that, and not lumped into either the ME or Asian category.