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Cornish joke on Have I Got News For You sparks MP anger | Cornish joke on Have I Got News For You sparks MP anger |
(about 2 hours later) | |
An MP has complained to the BBC and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) over a joke about the Cornish on Have I Got News For You. | An MP has complained to the BBC and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) over a joke about the Cornish on Have I Got News For You. |
The joke was made on the latest edition of the TV satire show by panellist Andy Hamilton in response to a question. | The joke was made on the latest edition of the TV satire show by panellist Andy Hamilton in response to a question. |
Dan Rogerson, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, said the comments showed that "Cornish are discriminated against as a group". | Dan Rogerson, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, said the comments showed that "Cornish are discriminated against as a group". |
The show's producers said the comment was "clearly tongue in cheek". | |
In the show, guest host William Shatner asked a question about the Olympic torch relay: "What caused confusion in Truro?" | In the show, guest host William Shatner asked a question about the Olympic torch relay: "What caused confusion in Truro?" |
Panellist Andy Hamilton responded: "Well, they're Cornish aren't they? They'll always be confused in Truro." | Panellist Andy Hamilton responded: "Well, they're Cornish aren't they? They'll always be confused in Truro." |
Mr Rogerson said: "Of course I like a joke as much as the next person, but on this occasion I can't help but feel that these comments wouldn't be tolerated if they were aimed at the Welsh, Scottish or indeed any other nationality or cultural minority. | Mr Rogerson said: "Of course I like a joke as much as the next person, but on this occasion I can't help but feel that these comments wouldn't be tolerated if they were aimed at the Welsh, Scottish or indeed any other nationality or cultural minority. |
"I feel that it is comments like this which show that the Cornish are discriminated against as a group, and that they should be recognised as a distinct cultural minority. | "I feel that it is comments like this which show that the Cornish are discriminated against as a group, and that they should be recognised as a distinct cultural minority. |
"This would give protections to make sure the Cornish are not stopped from maintaining and celebrating our distinct identity." | "This would give protections to make sure the Cornish are not stopped from maintaining and celebrating our distinct identity." |
'Not offensive' | 'Not offensive' |
He added: "I don't want kids in Cornwall to see this kind of thing and and think, 'Is there something about me, maybe I'm not as bright as all the others, maybe I haven't got the chance to be as successful as everybody else.'" | He added: "I don't want kids in Cornwall to see this kind of thing and and think, 'Is there something about me, maybe I'm not as bright as all the others, maybe I haven't got the chance to be as successful as everybody else.'" |
BBC Radio Cornwall listener Steve Dawe, 47, from Callington, said: "It was not offensive, it was very funny. | BBC Radio Cornwall listener Steve Dawe, 47, from Callington, said: "It was not offensive, it was very funny. |
"People seem to be having a major sense of humour bypass. Everyone was being picked on, MPs, bankers, the Welsh, Scots. The whole programme was having a bash at everyone." | "People seem to be having a major sense of humour bypass. Everyone was being picked on, MPs, bankers, the Welsh, Scots. The whole programme was having a bash at everyone." |
Mr Rogerson's action received a number of responses on the BBC Cornwall Facebook page including Ray Worden who wrote: "Dan Rogerson is a very good MP, but for goodness sake, what a huge storm in a very tiny teacup." | Mr Rogerson's action received a number of responses on the BBC Cornwall Facebook page including Ray Worden who wrote: "Dan Rogerson is a very good MP, but for goodness sake, what a huge storm in a very tiny teacup." |
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