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| Britain |
| 50,000 protest at BBC host’s suspension |
| 2004-01-13 |
| Fifty thousand people have voiced opposition to the BBC’s suspension of a popular television show after its host Robert Kilroy-Silk made inflammatory remarks against Arabs, a British tabloid newspaper said. As a row over the comments simmered on, the Daily Express said 50,000 had responded in a phone poll to back Kilroy-Silk’s reinstatement. "Thousands" more had protested to the BBC, added the Express, which accused the public broadcaster of "gagging" Kilroy-Silk, a former Labour party lawmaker. The BBC suspended the veteran host’s morning show "Kilroy", on which guests discuss topical and personal issues, pending an investigation after the presenter lambasted Arabs as "suicide bombers, limb amputators, women repressors" in an article published in the Sunday Express on January 4. "You can’t handle the truth!" "We’re sick and tired of being gagged" was the front-page response of the Daily Express Tuesday, which said there was "growing anger over what is being seen as a test case for the very principle of freedom of speech in this country." The rightwing paper claimed the support of Michael Howard, leader of Britain’s main opposition Conservative Party. Howard told the Express: "While it is absolutely wrong to talk about people in categories, I also think that our tradition of free speech is precious and that is something we should never lose sight of." In an editorial, the paper accused the BBC of political correctness. "The corporation, once synonymous with truth around the world, is guilty of censorship," it blasted. Oh, I think we passed censorship a long time ago. Kilroy-Silk told the paper: "People are getting sick of debate being stifled while at the same time you have (Islamic) militants on the streets of London shouting "Kill the infidel!’" Guess a lot of British noticed that. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #4 I'm writing to Sam Walton.... did you know all the Flambeaus at WalMart are made in Transylania? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-1-13 7:25:16 PM |
| #3 I've got my pitchfork and torch. When does the bus leave for England? |
| Posted by: Fred 2004-1-13 6:38:19 PM |
| #2 Hail Kilroy! Like what he said about "People are getting sick of debate being stifled while at the same time you have (Islamic) militants on the streets of London shouting "Kill the infidel".Im say someone needs to organise a Massive protest out side finsbury park mosque and demand Abu hamser leave the country or die under the feet of the mob,actually lets just trample hook hand to death anyway! |
| Posted by: Jon Shep U.K 2004-1-13 11:59:49 AM |
| #1 Time to form the angry mob! Get the torches and cock-tails! |
| Posted by: Charles 2004-1-13 10:35:23 AM |