Political columnist apologises after mocking disabled broadcaster Andrew Marr
May 10, 2016, 18:40:38 CEST | Wikinews

File photo of Quentin Letts, 2009. (Image: Steve Punter.)
Quentin Letts, a UK political columnist and sketch writer, publicly apologized yesterday after he mocked disabled broadcaster Andrew Marr. Letts was reviewing former BBC business editor Robert Peston's new ITV television show for the Daily Mail on Sunday when he made the comments. In his column he said Marr, who suffered a stroke in 2013, was like "Captain Hop-Along, growling away on BBC One, throwing his arm about like a tipsy conductor".

Letts posted an apology on his Twitter page after a critical article by Roy Greenslade, which appeared in The Guardian. Greenslade said "I don't want to come off all namby-pamby. I understand that no-one should be beyond criticism and that Letts was exercising his right to press freedom. But really Quentin, that was a graceless remark."

The apology tweet read, "I fear my sketch reference to the admirable Marr today was horrid. Apologies to all concerned and upset." Letts also replied directly to Greenslade, who updated his article. Letts said "Perhaps I should have been more cautious but I hope that Andrew will forgive it. He has been equally teasing about himself in my company. I admire him." He also added he believes Marr's stroke had "made him more watchable than he was beforehand."

Criticism also came from Marr's wife and The Stroke Association. Eleven complaints were filed in relation to the comments to the Independent Press Standards Organisation according to a BBC statement.

Andrew Marr drew in 1.6 million viewers on Sunday, significantly more than Peston's debut with 166,000 viewers tuning in, according to The Guardian. Peston left the BBC to become ITV's political editor in 2015.

Source: Wikinews
Share this article:
share article on facebook share article on twitter share article on google+ share article on tumblr share article on blogger share article on reddit

Send us your articles and web-novels!
comments powered by Disqus
Most popular


Recently Viewed:


Political columnist apologises after mocking disable...

Quentin Letts, a UK political columnist and sketch writer, publicly apologized yesterday aft...


The Walking Dead season 4 gets a second trailer (VIDEO)

For those that just can't wait for the The Walking Dead to return, AMC released a second tra...


Robben signs contract extension with Bayern

German football club FC Bayern Munich yesterday announced Dutch winger Arjen Robben has sign...


NASA's helicopter Ingenuity survives its first night...

Space Related articles 7 April 2021: NASA's helicopter Ingenuity survives its first night ...


Lawsuit filed against Ed Sheeran for his single Phot...

On Wednesday, Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard, songwriters of the song Amazing performe...

Automotive
Reviews | Technology | Projects & Tuning | Events | Racing
Business & Technology
Business & Economy | Mobile | Internet & Media | Security & Privacy | Gadgets & Tech | Software
Lifestyle
Health, Food & Fitness | Fashion | Gardening | DIY | Homes
Society
Accidents | Crime | Culture | Finance | Politics
Science & Environment
Wildlife | Green | Space
Gaming
Reviews
Society
Accidents | Crime | Culture | Finance | Politics
Travel
MM-iNEWS
Copyright & Privacy | Site Roadmap | Sitemap | Contact
Web Development @ OverHertz Ltd
Ω