A politician has apologised for a racist joke against Oprah Winfrey during the Megxit interview – saying she looked like ‘Ian Wright dressed up as Mrs Doubtfire’.
Lindsay Ash made the offensive remark online about the talk-show host’s appearance on the famous chat.
Deputy Ash, assistant treasury minister on the Channel Island of Jersey, has apologised – but described the incident as a ‘bit of a storm in a teacup’.
He tweeted on Monday, March 8: “‘This Harry and Meghan interview seems to have caused a bit of a furore, what baffles me is why Ian Wright dressed up as Mrs Doubtfire to do it’.
He later said: “I apologise to anybody who was offended by it.”
After posting his initial Tweet, Deputy Ash defended his actions on Twitter, describing his initial post as ‘observational comedy’.
He wrote: “It will amuse some and offend those who wish to find it offensive.
Racist
“I am not a career politician and will not merely walk a populist line to appease as many as often as possible. To quote the song, ‘I am what I am’.”
But Twitter users were quick to criticise Deputy Ash, describing the tweet as insensitive and offensive.
Colin Lever wrote: “Lyndsay Ash’s contribution to International Women’s Day. Wrong on so many levels.
“Racist, sexist and misogynistic, and this guy’s assistant minister in two departments.”
Andrew Wicks added: “Why would you mock anyone for their looks? Reprehensible from anyone but you’re a government minister.”
And Lee Carpenter said: “International women’s day and you decide to mock a woman for her looks. Nice.”
Deputy Ash replied to a few comments, including the last one, to which he wrote: “I would have mocked a man for his looks as well.”
Related: Piers Morgan quits Good Morning Britain amid Meghan Markle backlash
Since you are here
Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.
Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.
Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.
If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.
To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.
The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.
The shop can be found here.
You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .
