Comments

Comment 1 | From: Arturo | Date: 5 October 2009, 20:01

I read this story and found your website following the link from the virginmedia website. Do read the comments posted there. When will people like you realise that you aid the BNP in no small way.

Comment 2 | From: David S | Date: 5 October 2009, 20:09

I admit to being a Strictly fan, and up until now an Anton fan. Laila Rouass is British of Moroccan descent, speaks English and dresses in western style. How can anybody but an ignoramus or BNP member call her a terrorist? If he isn't kicked off the show, he should be permanantly sacked from it when his and Laila's run on the show comes to an end. But if they can sack Carol Thatcher just like that...

Comment 3 | From: Peter Weatherup | Date: 5 October 2009, 20:14

Two points, perhaps you don't know them. Mr Du Beke categorically denied making the terrorist comment. There was no complaint by Ms Rouass and nothing is on the VT from the BBC (that meeting was filmed). Mr Du Beke did not refer to the comment as a joke as it was never made. And Mr Du Beke did not deny the story of the P**i comment when it first broke; in fact the BBC did, without consulting with him, maybe because he was in the middle of rehearsals at the time.

Comment 4 | From: Eric Wilson | Date: 5 October 2009, 20:22

Did you actually think you could make this sort of unsubstantiated claim and not have it challenged? Why was there no follow-up to the original News of the World story; the terrorist comment, I agree, would have been far worse, but it clearly wasn't said and the fact that neither Laila or the BBC chose to take it further shows that. Do you really think that the NOTW would have dropped the story immediately had they had any hard evidence? And the only statement that we saw fom Anton Du Beke was one in which he admitted he had used the term. I saw no denial from any source, unless you're privvy to other information. Also, have you been following the poll conducted by this very web-site which shows an overwhelming majority of people opposed to your point of view?

Comment 5 | From: Michael Daley | Date: 5 October 2009, 21:13

Why are you making a big fuss about nothing. Paki was an accepted term,the same as Brit or Eyetie etc., until self serving left wing organisations, such as yourselves got to work. As I live in the East End of Greater London,I am more worried about the Islamification of my country,than a tv celebrity using a word that the PC brigade want to outlaw. And before you ask,I'm not a member of any party.

Comment 6 | From: peter | Date: 5 October 2009, 21:39

As a 'Geordie' and knowing a few 'jocks' as friends as well as 'taffies' I find the whole 'paki' story as a total farce. If calling someone a shortened version of there name in hatred then yes it is racist in its intent. The word 'Paki' used in this context by this dancer is neither racist in actuality or intent. Please british media grow up, get a grip and concentrate on real racist issues not media created hysteria. Peter

Comment 7 | From: Laura Jane | Date: 5 October 2009, 22:32

I get your emails, I donate, I spread the word. I am ANTI-racism, I am anti-BNP etc. If I think someone or some organisation is racist, I act to try to stop it. I do NOT believe Anton du Beke is racist - I believe him to be a nice man. He is 'reported' to have denied he said it - arguable, as he was in a room with other people at the time - not sure why he'd bother. He's also 'reported' to have used the term before in jest, and had no problemss. So I suppose context is all. But I seriously doubt he'd have said it if he thought it was in any way offensive. I also don't know in what context the terrorism remark was made, but that applies to what I am about to say as well - it's all about context. Racism is all about people, not words. If you are racist in your heart, whether you call every foreign person you meet a name or not - you're still a racist. It's still wrong if you vote for racist parties, even if you don't actively go out namecalling. On the other hand, it's possible to say words which could be deemed racist without any racist intent. You can say that using the word under any circumstance is bad - but consider this: if we ever do manage to stamp these words out of our culture - will racism ever go away? No. Racism will still exist, with or without these words. They'll think up new ones. We need to stop actions, not words. I will say it again - it's all about whether someone intends the word to be derogatory or offensive or not. If they do, that is bad. If they don't, I don't think we should be calling for them to be sacked and suddenly branding them a 'racist.' If you call someone "a stupid Indian" - you may not be using an offensive word, but there is racism behind your remark. I do not believe Anton du Beke is racist.

Comment 8 | From: Dan Factor | Date: 6 October 2009, 17:00

Anton Du Beck's comments were racist and offensive but I do not see how his comments represent wider Islamophobia.

Comment 9 | From: Peter | Date: 6 October 2009, 18:39

The man himself has apologised for using the term, therefore there is no question that he actually said it. The word "paki" was used heavily in the 70's and 80's, and for many British Asians this period holds memories of episodes of abuse at that time. It is therefore highly offensive to a great many people, and for Anton to make such an ignorant remark (whether privately or not) whilst working for and being paid by the BBC, a public organistation, was at the very least an error of judgement. Mine own view is that a remark like that is racist, whether said out of jest or not. Add to that the terroist remark and I think the man should go. Carol Thatcher, and Ron Atkinson are gaining more members for their exclusive club.....

Comment 10 | From: Mimi Summers | Date: 6 October 2009, 19:57

It's very easy for those who are part of a majority to dismiss the outrage caused by Anton Du Beke's comments as "PC gone mad" and "I'm called a Taffy, so why is Paki any different?" etc. But we all know that the word 'Paki was never used in an affectionate way. 'Geordie get out ' or 'Jock get out' was never spray painted on walls and nor were they targeted by racist groups. So for those people who think that the word 'Paki' has the same innocuous connotation as 'Aussi' or 'Brit' or 'Jock' or 'Geordie' or 'Yank', then I guess you believe that the word 'nigger' to be another harmless reference to someone form Nigeria too!

Comment 11 | From: Bernard | Date: 7 October 2009, 11:34

Good God, don't you have anything better to do. In South Africa blacks are called kaffirs, now it is against the law to say the word. The blacks call white people whitties, now what?????????? No law against that, and how come just whites can be racists?? It's all a bloody waste of time. Get a life.

Comment 12 | From: JOHN WHITE | Date: 7 October 2009, 15:26

SO DU BEKE MADE A THOUGHTLESS COMMENT DU BEKE APOLOGISED, ROUASS ACCEPTED ITS BETWEEN THEM FORGET IT AND MOVE ON YOU ARE LIKE A DOG WITH A BONE THAT WONT LET GO

Nick replies:

Strange that I have not made a comment about it for a couple of days but you have just sent me this posting. Now who's the dog?

Comment 13 | From: Alison Smith | Date: 7 October 2009, 15:57

Anton Du Beke is an ignorant man. He is from the same generation as me and I know that term to be offensive and would never use it. He has no excuses and should be sacked immediately.

Comment 14 | From: Tom | Date: 7 October 2009, 18:05

On one side of the extremist seesaw is the BNP so what is on the other side of the seesaw to balance them out? Well it looks like Hope Not Hate are the other side which inturn makes you potentially an extremist group as well? The issue with racist comments is very blurred and the Strictly Come Dancing is one which seems to be getting more attention than it deserves. It is up to Laila Rouass to say if it was racist or not the self serving media (Hope not hate included). I heard two Afro Carribean type guys talking on the tube and they referred to each other using the N word to each other. Would you call them racist? Mmmmm things are not as simple as black and white!

Comment 15 | From: simon | Date: 8 October 2009, 02:12

Racism should be defined as assuming some kind of superiority of one race over another 'in a pejorative manner'. Anything else may be rude, offensive or many other things (negative or positive) but one cannot make the leap that a person who uses language which is often, or even usually, racially offensive is automatically a racist. The day campaigners for racial equality begin to realise this difference will be a major step forward in racial relations. Even when the term is meant offensively it doesn't necessarily mean one person thinks they are in some way better than an other (at least on the basis of race). Racially offensive language should of course be outlawed, but through education and by example, not by force and intimidation; and either way probably not by you. The issue of what is racist language and even what constitutes racism is far too complex for any organisation to campaign for unless they choose to concentrate on that issue alone. People should be judged by their actions or proven views and not via second and third hand interpretations. Or do we want to live in a country where the rule of law is replaced by popular gossip? You are primarily an anti BNP campaigner and you should surely stick to that rather than making forays into areas requiring different skills and knowledge. I'm not defending du Beke; he may or may not be an idiot, a racist or even a perfect gent. The point is, this story is not evidence that he is anything but a bloody celebrity. And what happened to not jumping headlong into assumption? I agree wholeheartedly with Arturo by the way - articles like this by people like you do indeed play into BNP hands. Sad but true. Keep up the good work - but please don't continue wasting time publicly discussing what is or isn't racist. ps I've browsed your site and it seems to be full of stories about BNP members and where their meetings are - how come it's not also full of stories exemplifying how immigration made our country what it is (or even what it was a few or several hundred years ago) and how further integration could make it a better place to live? In fact given that BNP campaigners (and their families, and you can't assume none can be swayed) must surely be frequent visitors to your website how about an occasional article highlighting the many things about the UK they enjoy which we have immigrants to thank for? It's a lot more than democracy and curry!

Comment 16 | From: Maya | Date: 8 October 2009, 06:15

I did post this response yesterday and it may well have been held back but not sure why - anyway thought I'd try again. The fact remains that Anton Du Beke (as charming a man he is with impeccable manners) seems to think it hilarious that Laila could look like a "paki". So I do think that comment also reveals a disturbing entrenched view that looking like someone of asian descent is something to be laughed at. The only point I really took from Laura Jane’s contribution is that she really doesn’t take what happened seriously despite getting the e-mails/donating money etc? What that quite clearly demonstrates is that she really doesn’t get it? Yes racism will never go away simply by preventing the use of racist language, however apathy to racist language is far more dangerous. I think it absolutely appropriate that Nick Lowles' reaction was passionate against the use of the word "Paki" by a high profile celebrity. And unfortunately anyone who really sees nothing wrong in the use of such language is not going to be swayed by somebody pointing out the obvious. The fact is that anyone in the public eye and on a family show sets an example and I don't think it is unreasonable for there to be consequences. Anton’s apology was completely inadequate. If you are of the opinion that the we should all be using the word P*** as there is nothing wrong with it, then his apology would be have been great as he stated that he had never used racist language (despite having used the word Paki) but if you recognise the the word for what it is (and actually the fact that Anton was taking the mickey out of Laila for looking like a p*** (i.e. asian descent as if that was funny/or something to be ridiculed) then you’ll be of the opinion that we as the public and the tv licence payers deserve an actual meaningful and direct apology at the very least. All in all very depressing but Nick, please don't feel the need to soften your reaction and underplay how serious the use of racist language and apathy to it really is. Thought you were spot on but I think most people would rather this unpleasant business would just go away...

Comment 17 | From: Jean Kendell | Date: 8 October 2009, 13:52

I wish people would stop to think how many times in their life have they used the same word, calling someone a paki is in no way causing offence to the people of Pakistan, I have several friends who are from there and they are not at all bothered about what has been said, the only people kicking up a stink are the whites who like the sound of their own voices. Let it rest there are so many things wrong in the world today, concentrate on them instead of making a mountain out of a mole hill

You can comment on this article here (All fields required)

Meet Tommy Robinson leader of the English Defence League

What happens when the EDL comes to town

credit: consequential films

Go to HOPE not hate's YouTube Channel