Carol Thatcher versus the BBC

The BBC are coming under fire again, this time for the sacking of Carol Thatcher, who, according to The Scotsman, “emerged last night as an unlikely rallying point for freedom of speech, after … referring to a tennis player as a ‘golliwog’.”

“… a growing list of politicians, lawyers and media experts attacked the BBC,” continues The Scotsman, “accusing it of overstepping the mark and making [Thatcher] a scapegoat in an era of burgeoning political correctness.”

Lord Tebbit is quoted as saying: “It is probably a bit of a way for the BBC to get back at Carol’s mother.”

Cameron Fyfe, a Glasgow lawyer, is also quoted: “I don’t think it is racist to say someone’s hair resembles a children’s doll. I think there has to be a crucial difference between private conversations and those that are formal as part of your employment. It’s absolutely crucial that we keep that distinction, otherwise we could all be sacked tomorrow.”

There is still some confusion, it seems, as to whether Carol Thatcher was referring to a white or a black tennis player when she uttered her remarks.

The Scotsman asked for my take on the matter, too; I stood up for the BBC, given that I think Carol Thatcher’s language is unacceptable, whether the conversation was private or not.

“Anyone that has the word golliwog in their vocabulary doesn’t need to be on the BBC,” I told them. “I think it’s a totally and utterly unacceptable word. The BBC’s reaction was utterly appropriate, but it is being hit from all sides now, whatever it does.”

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