BBC Apologizes for Anti-Mexican Jokes

VOA Breaking News
February 4, 2011 at 8:40 pm

The British Broadcasting Corporation has apologized to Mexico's ambassador to Britain for derogatory comments made about Mexicans on one of Britain's top television shows.

The BBC issued a statement Friday saying the BBC wrote to Mexico's ambassador to Britain, Eduardo Medina Mora, and apologized for the comments. The network said the show's presenters did not mean to be vindictive but added that stereotypes are part of British humor.

Ambassador Medina Mora had written a letter earlier this week to the BBC demanding an apology for the comments.

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

One of the show's presenters, 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.

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