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Thatcher’s golliwog jibe axing is 'revenge on mum'
Last updated at 11:49am on 04.02.09The BBC was today accused of taking revenge on Margaret Thatcher, after her daughter Carol was sacked from The One Show for referring to a tennis player as a “golliwog”.
Tory peer Lord Tebbit suggested the corporation was guilty of double standards.
Get her out of here: Jo Brand and Thatcher on The One Show
Thatcher was axed yesterday for refusing to apologise formally for her comment, thought to be about Frenchman Gael Monfils, made after filming the BBC1 show last Thursday while she talked to its presenter Adrian Chiles and comedian Jo Brand. Production staff were understood to be present, and BBC sources said the remark caused great offence to those who heard it.
But Lord Tebbit, the former prime minister's Cabinet hardman, compared the incident to the comments made by Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand on Andrew Sachs's answer machine. He said: “It seems very odd that Ross can be back broadcasting having made obscene, insulting remarks on the air, and Carol Thatcher, who said something which is allegedly highly offensive but which I rather doubt was meant to be so, in private, should be banned. It is probably a bit of a way for the BBC to get back at Carol's mother.” Last night, a defiant Carol Thatcher said: “I'm baffled by all the fuss.” A Beeb spokesman said her removal from the show didn't mean she was banned from the BBC as a whole.
Reader views (11)
Let’s first establish the dictionary meaning of golliwog - A doll fashioned in grotesque caricature of a Black male.
Also the imagery and concept of Golliwog was produced during a time when racism was blatant in the UK and United States.
Therefore I believe the word is not only offensive but the fact that Carol Thatcher still draws references with the character and the Black tennis player shows that she her self is racist. This word is implicated in racist discourse and therefore Carol should have been more careful when speaking in a room with 12 other people.
I am tired of people calling racism freedom of speech. It is not funny to call someone a golliwog - it is racist. I would like to ask Carol Thatcher what is so funny about calling someone a golliwog – I personally challenge her to explain what part of that is funny.
- Mary M, London
What double-standards? Ross apologised, Thatcher refused to. Hence one was suspended the other sacked.
- James, London
Susie, your lack of understanding of the term and its point of reference is hardly an excuse for Carol Thatcher.
sorry, but whilst you might not 'get it', the sad fact is that other can and do.
- Scott, London
Susie, London u should look up the term golliwog and how it came about before you make comments. It was a term used long before it appeared on jamjars and IS offensive and ALWAYS has been offensive. Just because you dont take offensive at comments made to you doesnt make it OK.... Though i dont think she should necessary be sacked for making comments "off air" the people concerned should have said something to her at the time.. how else is she meant to know that people arnt pleased by waht was being said.
- Rachroo, London
Don't know about it being "revenge" on Lady T, but it certainly smacks of double standards at the BBC (now there's a surprise...). Apparently, making disgusting phone calls to an old man only merits a suspension - in most workplaces, that would constitute a sacking offence. Oh, could it be perchance because Carol Thatcher just isn't "edgy" enough??
- Helen, London, UK
The only reason Carol Thatcher is on the BBC in the first place is because of her mother. I'd say they've been looking for an excuse to get rid of her - the woman has no broadcasting ability whatsoever.
- Kate, London
only someone really stuipd would say something like that in front of anybody except people who know them really well, which can never be the case in a work environment.. but to sack her for this comment as stupid as the person who made it in the first place. As for the people who complained, they really should take responsiblilty for their own offence and not go running telling tales.
- nu, london uk
She needs a facelift and a nose job. Ugly bugger, can't watch TV when she is on. Too ugly for my eyes. As for her comments, go and search for brother.
- Black Beauty and Proud, Slough, UK
This really is PC too far. I remember golliwogs on the jam jars when I was a kid - I certainly didn't see a connection between them and black people - they were just a toy with fuzzy black hair, so to say "golliwog" is offensive or racist is saying that you actually think a golliwog resembles a black person, thus making you the racist!. I am actually Irish with a black husband but I wouldn't take offense if someone likened me to a leprechaun, and I certainly wouldn't think them racist. Neither was my husband offended by Carol Thatcher's remark because he knows it was not meant in a racist way, just a flippant comment. Come on Britain, time to liven up and stop taking every remark to heart or looking for an excuse to brand someone a racist. This country used to be renowned for it's humour and ability to laugh at themselves - not anymore it appears....
- Susie, London
The glabrous Lord Tebbit may well be right - thank goodness there's someone out there who is prepared to call a spade a spade.
- Keith, Kings Cross, London, UK
A disgraceful comment by a ridiculous woman (so we are led to believe) whose priviledged upbringing cannot disguise the obvious character flaws throughout the thatcher tribe. The sight of the woman on my tv is more offensive, to me, than her comments so her bigotted racist comments have served a purpose for the northwest tv viewers at least. Let her go and join her wannabe military coup funding brother where ever he is hiding from international justice at the moment.
- scouser, Liverpool uk
