British Lawmakers: BBC Should Apologize for Mexico Remarks

VOA Breaking News
February 3, 2011 at 8:35 pm

A group of British lawmakers is urging the BBC to apologize for “ignorant, derogatory and racist” remarks made about Mexico on a popular British television show.

In a motion filed Thursday in the House of Commons , six lawmakers said the comments were “unacceptable” and “untimely” given that British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is about to visit Mexico.

The lawmakers want the BBC to apologize to Mexico immediately so there is no interruption to the “excellent political and economic relations” between the two countries.

Last month on the BBC car show “Top Gear,” host Richard Hammond referred to Mexicans as “lazy, feckless” during a discussion about Mexican cars.

Presenter Jeremy Clarkson said the BBC would not get complaints about Hammond's remarks because Mexico's ambassador would be sitting with a remote control. Clarkson then mocked the ambassador by slumping in his chair and snoring.

In a letter to the BBC, Mexico's ambassador to Britain, Eduardo Medina Mora, has demanded an apology for the show's offensive comments on his country.