Anti-racism campaigners urge to sack Du Beke over ‘Paki’ slur
October 5th, 2009 - 4:46 pm ICT by ANILondon, Oct 5 (ANI): Anti-racism campaigners have demanded ouster of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star Anton Du Beke after he called his partner Laila Rouass “a Paki”.
Actress Rouass, whose mum is Indian and father is Moroccan, walked out when her dance partner used the offensive term, after she got a spray-tan at the BBC show.
The jibe is said to be heard by about 15 other people, including fellow dancer Brendan Cole.
Critics insist that Du Beke should suffer the fate of Carol Thatcher, whose “golliwog” jibe saw her fired by the BBC.
“This is more serious than the Thatcher incident. It is the second time such language has been used. Those are clearly his feelings. An apology isn’t enough. He should be sacked,” the Mirror quoted Nick Lowles, of anti-racism groups Hope Not Hate and Searchlight, as saying.
Labour MP Parmjit Dhanda said: ‘The kind of language is totally unacceptable. It sounds to me as if Anton Du Beke needs to be sent on a race awareness course.’
However, Du Beke has apologised to Rouass, accepted it and said she wished to continue dancing with him.
“He is a sensible young man and is not racist,” said Du Beke’s mum Conchita Atkins, of Sevenoaks, Kent.
A BBC spokesman said last night: “The BBC does not condone offensive language in the workplace.”
He also pointed out that Carol Thatcher, unlike Du Beke, refused to apologise for her comment. (ANI)
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- Laila Rouass out of Strictly Come Dancing - Dec 06, 2009
- Magician Paul Daniels' 'Paki' tweet branded 'racist' - Feb 20, 2011
- BBC sacked Carol Thatcher to get even with `Mom'' Thatcher - Feb 05, 2009
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Tags: anton du beke, awareness course, bbc spokesman, brendan cole, campaigners, carol thatcher, conchita, dance partner, golliwog, labour mp, laila rouass, nick lowles, offensive language, offensive term, paki, parmjit dhanda, race awareness, searchlight, sevenoaks kent, slur
