The BBC has apologised for remarks made on the television programme, Top Gear, that caused outrage in Mexico after presenters characterised Mexicans as lazy and feckless.
In a letter to Mexico's ambassador in London, the BBC said it was sorry if it had offended some people, but said jokes based on national stereotyping were part of British national humour.
The ambassador had demanded an apology, calling the remarks "offensive, xenophobic and humiliating". Hundreds of Mexicans contacted the BBC Spanish-language website BBC Mundo to protest about the remarks made by presenters Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
An all-party group of British MPs also urged the BBC to apologise, calling the remarks "ignorant, derogatory and racist". In a statement, the BBC said the comments may have been "rude" and "mischievous," but there was no "vindictiveness" behind them.
It added that stereotype-based comedy was allowed within BBC guidelines in programmes where the audience knew they could expect it, as was the case with Top Gear.
All of a sudden people lose their sense of humour? No need to have apologised as it is hardly sincere and the same people on the show will be doing exactly the same next given opportunity.
In a letter to Mexico's ambassador in London, the BBC said it was sorry if it had offended some people, but said jokes based on national stereotyping were part of British national humour.
The ambassador had demanded an apology, calling the remarks "offensive, xenophobic and humiliating". Hundreds of Mexicans contacted the BBC Spanish-language website BBC Mundo to protest about the remarks made by presenters Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
An all-party group of British MPs also urged the BBC to apologise, calling the remarks "ignorant, derogatory and racist". In a statement, the BBC said the comments may have been "rude" and "mischievous," but there was no "vindictiveness" behind them.
"Our own comedians make jokes about the British being terrible cooks and terrible romantics, and we in turn make jokes about the Italians being disorganised and over dramatic, the French being arrogant and the Germans being over-organised."
It added that stereotype-based comedy was allowed within BBC guidelines in programmes where the audience knew they could expect it, as was the case with Top Gear.
"Whilst it may appear offensive to those who have not watched the programme or who are unfamiliar with its humour, the executive producer has made it clear to the ambassador that that was absolutely not the show's intention."
All of a sudden people lose their sense of humour? No need to have apologised as it is hardly sincere and the same people on the show will be doing exactly the same next given opportunity.
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