Boris backs Thatcher over golliwog sacking

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The Mayor, who has come under fire himself for allegedly racist remarks, said she should merely have been "taken to one side".

Ms Thatcher made the remark when referring to a black tennis player off-air during The One Show.

The 55-year-old was subsequently fired from the corporation after refusing to make a written apology.

In the run-up to the mayoral election last May Mr Johnson was forced to apologise for references to "piccanninies" and "watermelon smiles".

He defended Ms Thatcher when questioned about the row by LBC presenter Nick Ferrari.

He said: "You know, I don't think she should have been fired. The way to deal with it is ... you take that person on one side and say, "Listen you'e got to watch what you say and you'e got to be sensitive". Mr Johnson's remarks were criticised by Jennette Arnold, Labour member and chairman of the London Assembly.

Montserrat-born Ms Arnold said: "The symbolism of the golliwog is colonialist and racist. I find it hard to believe that the Mayor doesn't understand this. He should engage his brain and think about the people he represents."

The BBC added to its woes today when the BBC1 Breakfast show broadcast a swear word during an extract from actor Christian Bale's now-notorious verbal attack on a colleague on a film set.