Bradshaw slams 'insulting' racism claim
CULTURE Secretary Ben Bradshaw has criticised actress Emma Thompson as "insulting" over her claim that Exeter and its university are racist.
Mr Bradshaw, Exeter's MP, denied the city had a problem with racism and said the BNP had almost no presence there.
He said: "Emma Thompson is a great actress but her comments about Exeter, racism and the BNP are both untrue and insulting. The BNP is virtually non-existent in Exeter and polled dismally here in the last local elections.
"Any incidence of racism is one too many, but Exeter comes top or near top in every survey of places for friendliness and quality of life."
He added: "Our excellent university has an international reputation and has seen big increases in overseas students. Overwhelmingly, they report a very positive experience."
University of Exeter students have started a campaign to get an apology from the actress, star of some films.
Jonnie Beddall, president of the University of Exeter Politics Society, launched the campaign in response to Ms Thompson's claim that the BNP leader Nick Griffin would love the city.
Mr Beddall said: "Contrary to Emma Thompson's scandalous claims that both city and University of Exeter are racist, we know that it is not. Not only is Exeter an especially welcoming place for people of all backgrounds, but why should we feel guilty just for belonging to a community that doesn't represent metropolitan London?"
The Oscar-winning actress made her comments in a speech to Exeter students after claiming her Rwandan-born adopted son Tindyebwa Agaba suffered racist abuse while studying in the city.
Ms Thompson, 50, said the BNP leader would "love" Exeter University because there was so much "depressing" racism there.
Tindy, 22, read politics at the university, but his mother said he suffered a "rough" time with "unpleasant experiences" because he was black.
Mr Beddall said: "It offends all my sensibilities to be accused of being racist by one of London's celebrity elite.
"Is one celebrity's soundbite worth the livelihoods and self-respect of an entire city?"
12 Comments
View all
by Michael White, Brugge Flanders
Wednesday, November 11 2009, 9:22AM
“Obviously there is no publicity to be had from adopting a British baby, even were the child not white. An actress without publicity is no actress. And by the way: 'Blesssed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth': but the meek don't want it!”
by The Gaffer, Saltash
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 11:18PM
“Usual attention seeking from a celeb and given too much publicity.
Yes, Mr Nick Griffin would love Exeter, simply because it is a nice place to live.
Many of us do not agree with his policies, but at least he is honest.”
by Bogeymen R US, Brown's Failed State
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 5:18PM
“I guess Mr Bradshaw doesn't listen to the Westminster Hour on Sunday evenings either.
One of the MPs doubted that the BNP are getting the levels if support being talked about and how the BNP are being used to motivate Labour activists to give them something to rally behind before the election in 2010.
'British jobs for British people'? Was that an idea from former New Labour spin doctor Derek Draper?”
by Bob, North Devon
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 3:58PM
“This narrow-minded, PC-motivated outburst by little Ben typifies the twelve-and-half wasted years of New Labour rule.
If they had spent as much effort in attending to all the really important issues instead, this country wouldn't be the Basket-case they have made of it.
The sooner we have the General Election, the better.”
by Allan, Brasil
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 3:20PM
“Theo, i am trying to become more like yourself and obtain info.: I.E. Green peace,adopting Tindy putting him as a pawn into the public eye.Is it not the meek that shall inherit the world.”
by Theo H, Lifton
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 2:55PM
“@ Allan, Brasil.
You posted:
"It may be worth knowing that so politically correct our actress friend is and her support for Greenpeace ..."
And what has Greenpeace got to do with this?”
by max power, st austell
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 2:29PM
“I'm gobsmacked that someone who has escaped the most horrific form of racism (genocide) should seek to highlight this criticism of his adoptive country. We should all share the shame that this genocide wasn't stopped but this apparent ingratitude hurts the majority. They should both apologise for offence caused to the majority of well meaning people. Also, I think we are all a little tired of this type of badge wearing publicity seeking.”
by Allan, Brasil
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 2:29PM
“It may be worth knowing that so politically correct our actress friend is and her support for Greenpeace,that Tindy up untill 13 March 2008 was and still maybe fighting deportation.So taking into account his past experiences i think he is faring well.However there is a system and rules.Just because you are famous you are not above the Law.”
by Jane, Tewkesbury
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 2:08PM
“Isn't it racist to describe an area as 'too white' and therefore desirable that the demographic mix should be artifically altered to make it less white?
Obviously, yes. So why isn't this picked up on?”
by Theo H, Lifton
Tuesday, November 10 2009, 2:04PM
“Could the editor of the WMN please dig out figures and numbers of racist incidents reported to the police in Exeter? I am sure I have seen figures for the whole (?) of Devon in the WMN in the past.
Then using census data, see how this relates to the number of black/brown/Asian people living in the town.
And then let us see for ourselves.”